{"id":3525,"date":"2013-08-19T13:26:06","date_gmt":"2013-08-19T12:26:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/verityholloway.com\/?p=3525"},"modified":"2013-08-24T21:34:13","modified_gmt":"2013-08-24T20:34:13","slug":"sound-the-important-artistic-discovery-klaxon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/verityholloway.com\/?p=3525","title":{"rendered":"Sound the Important Artistic Discovery Klaxon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Excuse me while I let the Red House press release do the talking. I’m busy\u00a0gnawing the furniture with excitement.<\/p>\n

Remarkable wall painting by Pre-Raphaelite artists is uncovered at home of William Morris<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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For years, two figures painted on a wall and concealed behind a cupboard at the former home of William Morris were believed to have been the work of a single artist.<\/em><\/p>\n

Now, major conservation work has uncovered an entire wall painting which experts believe is by William Morris and friends, all of whom were important Pre-Raphaelite artists.<\/em><\/p>\n

Red House in Kent, owned by the National Trust, was the home of Morris between 1860 and 1865. Regular visitors were Pre-Raphaelite artists Dante Gabriel Rossetti, his wife Elizabeth Siddal, Edward Burne-Jones and Ford Madox Brown.<\/em><\/p>\n

At different times, the friends helped Morris to decorate walls, ceilings and items of furniture at the house with colourful wall paintings and decorative patterns inspired by their love of the medieval past.<\/em><\/p>\n

After Morris left Red House, until the Trust acquired it in 2003, it remained in private ownership. As tastes changed, much of his original decoration was covered over with panelling, wallpaperor paint.<\/em><\/p>\n

The bedroom wall painting had been hidden for years behind a fitted wardrobe and covered with wallpaper and until this year only two indistinct figures were visible.<\/em><\/p>\n

Following generous funding, the Trust has been able to undertake conservation which has uncovered the complete painting, measuring six feet by eight feet. The painting, designed for what had been Morris and his wife Jane\u2019s bedroom, depicts Biblical characters: the figures of Adam and Eve (with the serpent), Noah (holding a miniature ark), Rachel and Jacob (with a ladder) and is designed to resemble a hanging tapestry with the illusion of folds.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"beforeafterconservation\"

Before restoration and (nearly) after. Magic.<\/p><\/div>\n

It is not known for certain which artist painted which figure, and further research and analysis will be undertaken.<\/em><\/p>\n

Jan Marsh, author and President of the William Morris Society said: \u201cThe concept of the overall design was almost certainly by Morris. Our initial thoughts are that the figure of Jacob was by Morris, Rachel possibly by Elizabeth Siddal, Noah by Madox Brown. But who painted Adam and Eve? Maybe Rossetti or Burne-Jones?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\"wombatmural\"

There’s even a wombat snuggled up under a chair.<\/p><\/div>\n

James Breslin, House Manager at Red House said:<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe early years at Red House were a flowering of ideas and creativity for Morris, who encouraged his friends to help him design a home uniquely medieval in feel. To uncover such a remarkable example of this early decoration has been so exciting.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAs we uncover more and more of those original schemes, we have been delighted that our visitors today have been able to share in these discoveries, and see the conservation in action, every step of the way.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n