Art Appreciation Group

In October, Lesley Godwin gave a talk on mining art from the north-east. The inspiration for this was a visit to the mining Art Gallery in Bishop Auckland Durham. Their collection comprises artworks from little-known painters as well as celebrated artists most of whom worked in the mining industry in the great Northern coalfields. The art was fostered by the creation of the Settlement movement in the 1930s, which set up local community groups with the aim of improving the lives of working-class people through education, social activities and cultural enrichment. We were moved by the depictions of the harsh realities of working in the cramped and dangerous conditions, and fascinated to view the works showing their communities, offering a glimpse into the personal side of miners lives. These communities have changed and much of this work records a life and times that no longer exist.

On 6 November Graham Taylor presented ‘Charleston UK and Old Lyme USA’. Both houses look similar and early C20 both hosted prominent artists to stay and paint on all surfaces of their houses. Vanessa and Clive Bell had many interesting happenings with guests. On visiting Charleston Farmhouse one sees paintings and colour on every visible surface. We discussed the interesting lives of the Bloomsbury Group.  Old Lyme is midway between New York and Boston and here Flo Grinswold ran a boarding house. Artists enjoyed staying and painting plein air in the beautiful surrounding countryside. They also painted scenes on door panels, cupboards, etc - but in a more refined manner and they dined together. It was interesting to compare the different styles and wonder about the conversations held in both houses.

Graham gave us a talk on Caravaggio on 20 November. Born in Milan in 1571, he spent much time painting in Naples and Rome, where his dramatic chiaroscuro paintings were popular with the cardinals. He chose people around him as real subjects for his mainly religious paintings and he used his own face for Goliath’s and Holofernes’ heads. He died at 39 but his style of painting, with lit subjects against a dark background, lived on and influenced many painters in places such as Utrecht, which had good travel connections to Rome, and France where Georges de la Tour used a similar style.

Our group meets fortnightly, alternating between zoom and in person at the Churchill Theatre. We look at a selection of large images of paintings on a chosen subject, which leads to discussions.

We have vacancies and would welcome new members. Please contact the Group Leader - click here for contact details.