We started the new years activities for members on the 7th February with a lecture by Jenny Newman on ‘The Art of Snow and Ice’ at Caryford Community Hall in Castle Cary, with approximately 45 members and guests attending. Jenny was happy to be our ‘guinea pig’ as she was the first lecturer to present in this hall.
Well known to Bruton Art Society Jenny taught Art for 40 years, latterly as Head of Art at Sherborne Girls’ School, from 1994 – 2016.
Trained in Fine Art, she has a broad knowledge of Art and Design, which she loves to share with others, often taking groups abroad and organising ‘Pop Up’ talks in the town. She is a member of the Sherborne Arts Society and on retiring she started two University of the Third Age (U3A) groups in Sherborne, for which she gives illustrated talks on current / forthcoming exhibitions and collections.
During the lecture, Jenny showed us early examples of artists who made ice and snow a subject since at least the 15th century, when winter scenes began appearing in illuminated ‘books of hours’. Our attention was drawn to the smallest of details in all these examples, particularly such well known paintings as ‘Hunters in the Snow’ by Pieter Breughel (the Elder), the much loved Skating Minister by Henry Raeburn, Japanese prints and the Impressionist painter Monet with his ‘The magpie’. We were shown Post Impressionist and early C20th works, ending with the contemporary artist Peter Doig and Andy Goldsworthy the sculptor.
The lecture was very enjoyable and much appreciated. There was a genuine feeling of intimacy in a smaller space, which Jenny herself agreed with. She is a naturally engaging speaker who loves imparting her knowledge of the subject and we look forward to more of her lectures in the future.
Sally Ridout ( BAS Committee )
