Exhibition of British water-colours 1850-1914

something that rivalled an oil painting even to the extent of EXHIBITION OF BRITISH WATER-COLOURS having the heavy and costly gilt frame and mount that were so characteristic of the period. There were, of course, workers in (1850-1914) the older style, but the predominating taste lay in laboured and, (The Victorian and Edwardian Eras) i t must be confessed, overworked and often dull productions, although at their best and most accomplished, they had the ALLINGHAM, Helen (Mrs.) R.W.S. 1848-1926 merit of sincerity-1A quality that seems at times to be too little 1 "COTTAGES I N WITLEY VILLAGE, SURREY" esteemed today. L e n t b y Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight. To this class belong such names as William H. Hunt, Birket BENGER, Berenger 1868-1935 Foster, Fred Walker and Helen Allingham. Hunt's work is amazingly skilful in its execution and finish. His still-life studies 2 "CASTLE ROCK, LLEDR VALLEY" of birds' nests and of grapes, whose bloom is rendered with L e n t b y Williamson Art Gallery, Birkenhead. miraculous fidelity, are tours-de-force in their class. Birket Foster, too, has admirable qualities and his intense love of the BOUGH, Sam 1822-1878 English countryside explains the high place he still holds in the 3 " THE WOODEN BRIDGE" esteem of the collector. Fred Walker and Helen Allingham, L e n t b y Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester. with their rather ingenuous sentiment and over-worked technique, also reflect the prevailing taste of this prosperous BOYS, T. Shotter 1803-1874 Victorian and Edwardian period. 4 "COAST SCENE" Lent by City Art Gallery, Birmingham. And now, like a breath of fresh air, comes Thomas Collier and E. M. Wimperis, who return to the older traditions of water- BRABAZON, H. B. N.E.A.C. 1821-1906 colour. It is as if we pass from the stuffiness of the studio to 5 "A MOROCCAN DANCE" the open country with its wind and scurrying clouds and sunlight Lent b y Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester. and shadow. These two artists opened up the path to the great 6 "WATERLOO BRIDGE A ND SOMERSET HOUSE" revival which took place after 1900, with its return to a simpler L e n t b y Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester. treatment and handling. into this category come the works of 7 MEDITERRANEAN COAST" A. W. Rich, David Muirhead and the even more direct methods o f P. W i l s o n S t e e r . Lent b y Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester. 8 " THE BACK WATER" Once more water-colours were to find favour which L e n t by Art Gallery and Museum, Rochdale. employed and preserved the characteristics of this beautiful 9 "A STREET IN CAIRO" medium, that relies so much for its charm on the liquid purity L e n t by Victoria and Albert Museum. and translucence of its washes. No longer was the aim to imitate paintings in oils, and by the end of our period we find BROWN, Ford Madox 1821-1893 ourselves again in a healthier phase which promises well for the 10 "ROMEO AND JULIET" future. Lent b y Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester. 11 "THE NOSEGAY" Our final exhibition will demonstrate the results of this Lent b y Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight. renaissance. A selection of examples will demonstrate how the past glories of our Water-colour School are being renewed by BUBNE-JONES, Sir E. R.W.S. 1833-1898 uniting the aims and methods of the early Masters with the 12 "AN IDYLL" modern spirit of experiment and adventure. Lent b y City Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham. 13 "GIRLS DANCING" Lent b y Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight. ERNEST BLAIKLEY, M . B . E . , F.R.S.A. 14 "A STUDY" Imperial Wa r Museum. Lent by President and Council of Royal Society of Painters in Water-colours (from Diploma Collection) 5