31 May to 5 July 2008
In a rare treat for art lovers, Guildford House Gallery will be displaying the watercolours from their own art collection from 31 May to 5 July 2008. Although some of the paintings have been displayed individually in recent years, this is the first time all the watercolours have been exhibited together, and the display includes recent additions to the collection.
The Collection includes examples for the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. It is known that watercolour was an art medium in the Middle Ages. Ancient Egyptians also used watercolour in tomb and papyrus painting. The medium was developed in the 17th and early 18th centuries, coming to the fore in the late 1700’s. The early 19th century is considered the Golden Age where watercolour artists, such as Turner, became famous and their work was sought after. Watercolour lent itself to The Romantic Movement, and was ideal for painting storms, landscapes, mists, water and clouds.
The earliest examples in Guildford Borough’s own art collection dates from 1760, and includes work by artists such as Thomas Russell (brother of John Russell RA), Thomas Remington, George Samuel and Anthony Devis. The works by Devis are examples of the earlier watercolour technique where the paint is used within a black drawn outline; later works are painted more fluidly.
Anthony Devis (1729-1816) was born in Preston, Lancashire. He worked in London in the 1740s and then returned to Preston. From 1780 until his death, he lived at Albury House near Guildford and is buried in Albury Old Church. The works on display by Devis include Stoke Church Guildford, Bramley Church and a view of the artist’s house.
By the 19th century, more and more artists were using watercolour, particularly in England. The skills and techniques were more widely known, and leisure painters found the materials easy to transport and quick to dry, unlike oils. This is demonstrated well in Guildford Borough’s art collection. The South West Prospect of Guildford by Henry Prosser has a photographic quality and architectural feeling, suggesting the use of a camera obscura. Garden scenes by the Royal Doulton pottery decorator, Kate Rogers, who lived at Shere, will also be on display.
For many years, the collection policy at Guildford House Gallery has concentrated on works of Guildford and the work of Guildford Artists and this exhibition shows how this policy has created a record of Guildford in times gone by, through artists’ eyes.
The most popular and prolific local artist in the show is Henry James Sage (1868-1953). Sage lived in the Guildford area and captured many landscapes and townscapes in watercolour creating a visual picture of the early 20th century in Guildford and the surrounding villages. His works are extremely collectable today, and his works are full of nostalgia for many Guildfordians, some of whom can remember him in the 1940s and 1950s, riding around on his tricycle with his easel strapped to the back.
The most famous of all the artists to be featured in the exhibition is Helen Allingham (1848-1926). Allingham was influenced by Frederick Walker, Sir Frederick Leighton and Millais. She exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in 1874 and in 1881 she moved to Sandhills near Witley. Here she gained her reputation for painting Surrey Cottages which are most sought after today. Allingham’s rise to fame came at a time when an artistic career was one of the few professions open to women.
In the last fifty years, Guildford House has continued to acquire local work by local artists to provide a record of old Guildford for future generations. Examples include the works of Graeme Highet, the architect of the Guildford Library and the Guildford Crematorium – both featured in the exhibition. Edward Wesson’s work is also included. He was a popular local art teacher, although self-taught himself, and he was the Chairman of Guildford Art Society for many years. Sheila Jay Jones’ painting of the High Street, including the Guildhall Clock provides the most popular view of Guildford, and prints of this work are available for sale in the Gallery shop.
Juliet Renny’s painting of Lewis Carroll’s House will be on display, with one of her portraits. She will be running a Taste of Art Workshop on Saturday 28 June 2008 on Watercolour Landscapes during the exhibition, price £15 per person – further details available from the Gallery on 01483 444742.
Pauline Dean’s Irises Reticulata will be on display, showing her use of watercolour to paint the intricate botanical details of flowers. A full retrospective exhibition of Pauline Dean’s work will be held at Guildford House Gallery in February 2009.
Thursday 19 June 2008 at 1pm in the Gallery
Lunchtime Gallery Tour
"Painting Thin Air - a guided tour of the Golden Age of Watercolour Exhibition with Olive Maggs"
The tour will explore the development of the simple but beautiful medium of watercolour in this exhibition of work from the Borough Collection. This will give the opportunity to discover at first hand the particular effects of the early watercolour technique in the idyllic and romantic works of Antony Devis and Helen Allingham or the more exacting style of Henry Prosser and other artists from the 19th century as well as the opportunity to explore the greater effects in more recent works from the 20th century.
Olive Maggs, BA, PGCE, MIfL is a well known teacher and History of Art Lecturer for Courses for Guildford for the University of Surrey, Guildford Adult Education and Frensham Heights School and has been an examiner in the subject at 'A' Level for many years.
Places for this Gallery Tour are free, but space is limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. You can also telephone us to reserve a portable seat to avoid standing for one hour.
Wednesday 2 July 2008 - at 1pm in the Brew House
Free Lunchtime Talk
"The Picturesque Watercolours of Miles Birket Foster (1825-98)" with Iris Hawkins.
The illustrated talk looks at the life of Miles Birket Foster and his work, especially the country scenes around Surrey. Birket Foster lived locally in Witley for around 30 years. He was an excellent draughtsman and illustrator of travel and poetry books with detailed engravings and miniature paintings, as well as his exquisite watercolours.
Iris Hawkins is the retired Curator of Guildford House Gallery and responsible for acquiring many of the watercolours in the Guildford Borough Collection. She is an Art Historian and Lecturer.
For maps and directions for Guildford House Gallery please visit our how to find us page.
Guildford House Gallery
155 High Street
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 3AJ
Tel: 01483 444742
Fax: 01483 444742
Email: guildfordhouse@guildford.gov.uk
Open Tuesday to Saturday. 10am to 4.45pm. Admission Free.