Are you interested in a country called Spain, that it is much more than bullfighters and flamenco? Do you feel like knowing something more about its culture, people, idiosyncrasy or its current situation? Please, come in

Thanks to these friends for following

Sunday 8 April 2012

JOHN BAGNOLD BURGESS AND OTHER VICTORIAN BRITISH PAINTERS OF SPAIN


Before the Revolutionary War, Spain had little attraction for foreign travelers. After the war, Spain began to acquire an aura of exoticism and extravagance which attracted a good number of onlookers, mostly French and English. The Moorish Andalusia, the guerrilla fighter, the obscurantist Church, the generous bandit, the handsome bullfighter, the lady with mantilla, the barefoot children, the beggar full of rags ... They wanted to see a different country, and when they did not see it they just invented.

A score of several English painters, John Bagnold Burgess, Edwin Long, Robert Kemm and Trevor Haddon, among others, disclosed aspects of the most typical clichés about Spain, as could it be otherwise, Andalusia concerning a land that "admired and despised" but acting on their retina "as a powerful magnet."

John Bagnold Burgess: Born in Chelsea (1829-1897). He was an English artist known for his paintings of historical and genre scenes, mainly in Spain. John came from a family of remarkable painters: his father, his grandfather, his great-grandfather and a couple of uncles.

Burgess started his career by painting portraits and genre works, before travelling to Spain in 1858, accompanied by his friend and fellow artist Edwin Long - who would become his travelling companion on future painting trips to the country. For the next thirty years, Burgess was an annual visitor to Spain, often spending days with Spanish peasants, living their life and sharing their food. He also went to Morocco at least once.

Burgess's first great success was his "Bravo Toro" in 1865, followed by "Stolen by Gypsies", "Kissing Relics in Spain" , "The Barber's Prodigy" and "Licensing Beggars in Spain" . In 1877, Burgess was elected an associate of the Royal Academy. He died from the congenital heart disease which had troubled him all his life, and was buried in the Paddington Cemetery at Willesden.









Edwin Long: Born in Bath, Somerset (1829-1891). Long was an English genre, history, biblical and portrait painter. Long made the acquaintance of John Phillip and accompanied him to Spain, where they spent much time. Long was greatly influenced by the paintings of Velázquez and other Spanish masters.





Robert Kemm: Born in London (1827-1895). He traveled to Spain, especially Andalusia, seeking inspiration in landscapes and genre scenes. Embodied on canvas delicious figures of fighters, bandits, beggars, guitar and various celebrities. Many of his works reflect the atmosphere of the city of Seville.






Trevor Haddon: Born in Greater London (1864-1941). Haddon was a painter and watercolourist of the Italian and Spanish landscape and country genre. Travelled extensively in North and South America, including Venezuela, between 1921 and 1930. Author of The Old Venetian Palaces, Southern Spain and other works. Lived mainly in London and latterly, in Cambridge, where he died, aged 77.





8 comments:

  1. Enjoyed these paintings and I had not heard of the artist before.Spain really is an inspiration to we who live quite a lot of the time in grey skies! They were enchanted b y the color and passion of Spain. lol Angela

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Angela,I have to admit I did not either, but I found their paintings were quite nice and reflected so well the nineteen century. And I quite agree with you that part of the attraction of British painters towards Spain has to do with Spanish sunny weather! Kisses Angela,

      Delete
  2. I took Art Appreciation in college so these really warmed my heart. There's no bigger artists then the ones from Europe :)
    Enjoy your weekend, Nieves!!!
    Hugs from Ohio,
    I.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with you Ivana, I also love European artists! Though there are some American contemporary whom I love too, like Steve Hanks o Donald Zolan, for instance! Have a smooth week and hugs and kisses!

      Delete
  3. Dear Nieves,

    I like what I understand. Abstract art is not get my attention.
    I'm impressed as there are painters who are able to depict landscapes and people so perfect that resemble photographs.


    Kisses

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear Sissy, I totally share your taste in art and my favourite painting styles lead me to realism and impressionism, more than to abstract art, which I do not enjoy too much, I have to admit. Hugs and kisses,

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tengo una duda, ya que una pintura que aquí se atribuye a Burgess, he visto en otros sitios que es de Antonia de Bañuelos y Thorndike. ¿Sabes algo? http://www.arcadja.com/auctions/es/de_banuelos_thorndike_antonia/artista/166524/

    ReplyDelete
  6. He estado investigando el tema y parece que si, que la cuarta pintura atribuida erróneamente a Burgess en este blog (creo que es a esa a la que te refieres), es obra, en realidad, de Antonia de Bañuelos y Thorndike. Un saludo y muchas gracias por tu comentario y observación,

    ReplyDelete

Welcome and thank you very much for taking the time to leave the gift of your comment. Have a nice day!

Bienvenido y muchas gracias por dejarme el regalo de tu comentario. ¡Que tengas un gran dia!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...