Description

Immediate dispatch from Somerset. Nice book in great condition. Pages in excellent condition. Softcover. English. See images for condition.

About the book >.>.> The Blackdown Hills were not an obvious artistic destination. The roads were poor settlements few and a reputation for ‘barbaric heathendom had firmly taken root. But the high plateau of the hills and their inter- secting combes provided a rich variety of inspiration for artists such as Spencer Gore Charles Ginner and Robert Bevan as they sought new ways of seeing and painting. Light of spec quality and the beauty of the ‘washed-clean landscape’ after rain called forth deep artistic responses. Richard Emeny in this fine study retells the story of the Camden Town artists in the West Country drawing not only on his wide knowledge of their achievement but on a long personal acquaintance with the Blackdown landscape. His book has been published to coincide with an exhibition at the Museum of Somerset: ‘A Fragile Beauty: Art on the Blackdown Hills 1909-1925’. The exhibition has been arranged by the South West Heritage Trust and curated by Richard Emeny and Dr Denys Wilcox of The Court Gallery. The Trust is deeply grateful to Richard and Denys for all the scholarship and practical energy they have brought to a complex undertaking. The exhibition reflects the Trust’s ambition to bring great art and heritage to the widest audience. It could not have happened without the co-operation of many people. Lawrences of Crewkerne and their director Richard Kay organised the fundraising sale which has under- written the costs of the exhibition. To Lawrences and the anonymous donors who gave works for the sale we express our gratitude. Lending institutions and other owners have also been outstandingly helpful in making works available. We express our sincere thanks to the Govern ment Art Collection Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery Exeter Manchester Art Gallery Ulster Museum Belfast Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery and private lenders who prefer to remain anonymous. Finally we express our thanks to Linda Bennett and the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for their enthus- iastic support of the exhibition and its associated programme of events. (LL)