Ruth and I drove down to Guildford to see the gallery dedicated to the famous Victorian artist George Frederic Watts, whose home and workshop were in Compton village. The gallery is about to re-open to the public after a £16 million-pound refurbishment that has taken over two-and-a-half years to undertake. This weekend was a special preview event for the "friends" of Watts Gallery, and was graced by the visit of the television actress Penelope Keith (The Good Life, To The Manor Born). G.F.Watts became established at Little Holland House in London, and there he painted his great works of art, including portraits of the contemporary "rich and famous". These included the Prince of Wales, Lilly Langtry and Ellen Terry, and of course Rachel Gurney, the future Countess of Dudley, together with her sister Laura. Nearby on Budburrow Hill stands the Watts Cemetery Chapel, an Arts & Crafts masterpiece designed by Watts' wife Mary and completed in 1904. We thoroughly recommend a visit, despite the long journey.
No comments:
Post a Comment