Anna Lea Merritt's Murals
Wall paintings in a Surrey church
- When?
- Tuesday 17 January 2012 to Thursday 2 February 2012
- Where?
- Lewis Elton Gallery
- Open to:
- Public, Staff, Students
- Admission price:
- Admission Free
- Admission information:
- Monday - Friday 10 - 5. Weekends by prior appointment (48h in advance)
This exhibition of large photographs alongside studies, sketches and engravings will explore the little known mural paintings of the life of Christ for the church of St Martin's, Blackheath, Surrey completed in 1895 by the American artist Anna Lea Merritt.
Anna Lea Merritt (1844-1930) was a successful and prolific artist best known as the first female painter to have work purchased for the nation by the Chantrey Bequest, later the Tate Gallery. A pioneer in her day, she ventured into the male dominated world of professional art.
Curated by Olive Maggs, who has written the first study on the murals, the exhibition examines both their iconography and the little known water-glass technique used and includes some examples of her published work.
The exhibition will be opened by Alison Smith, Curator, Tate Britain on Monday 26 Jan 6-8pm.
Olive Maggs will present a talk at the Guildford Institute, Wednesday 18 January at 14.45.
Preview: Monday 26 Jan 6-8pm. Opened by Alison Smith, Curator, Tate Britain