...FEATURED PAINTING OF THE WEEK
For this weeks featured painting I have chosen "Evening Falls". My 30"x 22" watercolour was based on a copy of an oil painting by Benjamin Williams Leader RA. He was an interesting character. Christened plain old Benjamin Williams he added 'Leader' when he found out there were other painters called Benjamin Williams. His father was a friend of John Constable who supposedly gave young Benjamin some lessons and tips. He certainly must have listened! His paintings epitomise the golden era of Victorian art. They may have romanticised a bit but we are indebted to their skills as a record of a bygone age in pre-photograph times. Imagine my delight when I found out that the original painting was in the custody of the Ferens Art Gallery just down the road in Hull. I had to make arrangements for a private viewing as it is not on public display. How sad to find this great work of art languishing in the vaults! The original is 6' x 4' which makes my effort look like a thumbnail but it is in need of some repair and Leader's reputation has sunk so low, in common with so many other Victorian painters, that the gallery cannot justify the cost of renovation from the public purse so there it stays. I was pleased with my painting and felt it did his work some justice so I dedicate it to Leader and all the other forgotten painters of that time.
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