Art Appreciation Group

Our group meets on Wednesday mornings alternating between face-to-face meetings in the Churchill Theatre and online meetings via Zoom. We look at a selection of large, projected images of paintings and members discuss them.

In the summer we looked at landscapes by British artists, beginning in the 18th century with Richard Wilson in Wales and Jacob Moore in Scotland looking at spectacular mountains and waterfalls. Major English painters emerged in the 18th century, with landscapes by Gainsborough, Constable and Turner becoming recognised worldwide. Crome, Cottman and the Norwich School continued the success and the 20th century brought Spencer Gore and Kyffin Williams to prominence. Even L.S.Lowry and David Hockney produced novel and imaginative landscapes.

Going back to the early 19th century we explored the work of Caspar David Friedrich and other German ‘Romantic’ painters. Friedrich in particular rearranged his landscapes for maximum visual impact and to convey themes about life and relationships. His ‘Stages of life’, with ships of varying sizes fading into the distance behind a group of people of various ages on the beach is mysterious but sets you thinking about moving from childhood through business and trade to being a grand-parent.

To finish the term we all chose items from our homes that we could show via Zoom to other members. Glenys Crane showed several paintings by Great Bardfield artists in the mid 20th century including a cat called Pumpkin. Rosemary Sansom showed an etching made for the royal family, Ann Woollins a mysterious brass tea-urn and Larraine Burr a series of dolls in historical costumes. We also admired Clarice Cliffe ceramics and prints by various artists.

Dates for planned Art Appreciation meetings in 2024 and topics where agreed are shown below. ‘Churchill’ means in the Wells Room. Members should check the online Beacon Calendar before attending in case of changes. Click here for contact details of Group Leader.

• 18 Sep     Superstars of US painting (Churchill) 
• 2 Oct       An art tour of Belgium (Zoom)
• 16 Oct     Mining Art in the North East (Churchill)
• 6 Nov      Art in Charleston and Old Lyme (Churchill) 
• 20 Nov    Caravaggio and his influence (Zoom)