Shades of British Impressionism: Lamorna Birch and his circle
Shades of British Impressionism: Lamorna Birch and his circle
12 March – 3 July
Touring Exhibition
This exhibition celebrates the life and friendships of one of the best-known and most prolific British painters of the twentieth century (Samuel John Lamorna Birch 1869-1955), and provides a glorious view of British impressionism spanning fifty years.
He cultivated friendships with the leading painters of his day (whose work is represented in this exhibition) and began exhibiting at the Royal Academy from an early age.
Like LS Lowry, Birch grew up in Manchester but chose to settle in picturesque Cornwall, painting local scenes that captured fleeting effects of light and shade. Founder of the Lamorna colony of artists and writers in Cornwall, his circle of friends included Munnings, Harold and Laura Knight, Harold Harvey, Stanhope and Elizabeth Forbes. Together, they helped to change the face of British art, emphasizing colour and light.
His career path is an interesting counterpoint to that of the slightly younger LS Lowry who chose to stay in the North West and shunned fashionable art circles.
This exhibition not only contains ravishing examples of Birch’s Impressionism but also throws light on the choices available to artists of that time.
A touring exhibition organised by Warrington Museum and Art Gallery
Posted on Saturday, 12 March 2005 under Press Galleries Press