| Author | Message | ||
  Marie Senior Member Username: Marie Post Number: 268 Registered: 8-2006 |
Yes, I ordered Ron Ranson's book about Seago. One of my students brought it to a workshop a couple of weeks ago, and I ordered it as soon as I got home. Unfortunately, Amazon says to expect 4-6 weeks delivery time. | ||
Grizrev Advanced Member Username: Grizrev Post Number: 149 Registered: 8-2006 |
Whitewater, I don't really know, but I suspect it was because he didn't attend the "proper" schools and rise through the usual ranks of the art establishment. He was self-taught. Born in Norwich, he was influenced by the Norwich School, especially Crome and Cotman. He was ill much of his life, and was confined to bed for long periods during his childhood, during which time he painted watercolors endlessly with the mother, who was also an artist. Like Constable, during his confinement he became obsessed with skies. He paints in the Impressionist tradition, with an emphasis on simplicity. The public lined up (literally) to buy his paintings when they were shown in galleries, and often they were almost sold out at the opening. He did have socially prominent patrons, including the Royal family, so perhaps that popular appeal led to disdain by the "professional" community. He was a friend of General Alexander, who led the British troops in the Italian campaign of World War II. Alexander invited him to accompany him as a war artist, and the little book of his war paintings is also appealing -- though it is hard to find! | ||
Grizrev Advanced Member Username: Grizrev Post Number: 148 Registered: 8-2006 |
Marie, Wonderful! Is it Ron Ranson's book, "Edward Seago?" That one contains an opening narrative that gives good insight into Seago's life. He also did a second book, "Edward Seago, the vintage years." Actually, I don't like the paintings being shown in the Portland Gallery as much as the ones contained in Ranson's books. I guess many of the painting now available to the public are "leftovers" at this point. I actually had a similar experience to Ranson's a couple of years ago when I visited the Dutch House in Ludham in the Norfolk Broads. My wife and I and a couple of English friends were invited by Mrs. Peter Seymour to walk through the garden, then visit inside the house (which is no longer open to public tours) and see Seago's studio and some of his originals (the ones of the Antarctic painted on his voyage there with the Royal family are beautiful beyond description!) So enjoy, Marie, when the book arrives! | ||
Whitewatercolor Advanced Member Username: Whitewatercolor Post Number: 171 Registered: 10-2006 |
Why was he not popular with the art establishment? Was there a political reason? His work is beautiful. | ||
Marie Senior Member Username: Marie Post Number: 264 Registered: 8-2006 |
I just ordered a book about Seago from Amazon last week, and I can't wait until it arrives. | ||
Grizrev Advanced Member Username: Grizrev Post Number: 146 Registered: 8-2006 |
I don't know how many of you appreciate the British watercolourist, Edward ("Ted") Seago, but it has been hard to find much about his work in recent years, though he was very popular with the public during his lifetime (never with the art establishment!). I discovered that the Portland Gallery in London is mounting an exhibition featuring his art in March (http://www.portlandgallery.com/pages/exhibitions/106.html). This would be a good thread to share information on galleries and their current exhibitions whenever you discover something of note! |
