[Andy Warhol]
I've read so much about the Grand Tour that young, rich, well-connected young men used to make in centuries gone by. These tours were like upmarket, expensive gap years filled with art and culture (their parents hoped) and I'm sure the young bucks had a high old time bumping into old friends in places like Florence and Vienna, flashing letters of introduction via the old-boy network, and generally being high class Englishmen abroad.
The idea of treading the same well-worn path as everyone else through the galleries, drawing rooms and ruins of Europe doesn't really appeal to me, but there is a variation of the Grand Tour forming in my mind which I would very much like to do. It's not exactly posh and classical, but it would be a wonderfully educational and formative tour.
I would like to take a week off to travel to the provinces of England. No glorious capital cities, no famous excavations, no fencing, riding or writing poetry, but instead lots of amazing paintings in provincial art galleries in interesting towns. Because it seems there is this summer a cornucopia of lovely exhibitions in some of our very best smaller galleries up and down the country.
So I would start off with Warhol in Southampton as I think it's best to challenge any prejudices and preconceptions early in the tour.
[Lucienne Day]
Then I would move on to Chichester to see Robin and Lucienne Day and to consider their enormous contribution to domestic design.
[Vanessa Bell]
Next stop would be Brighton for the Radical Bloomsbury exhibition, because Vanessa Bell is one of my favourite artists and because the Royal Pavilion is a sight to behold (very Grand Tour).
[Stanley Spencer]
Then I would move northwards to Warwickshire to see the incomparable Stanley Spencer in what promises to be a great exhibition (what he called his 'pot-boiler' garden and flower paintings are quite brilliant).
[Eric Ravilious]
Next I would cross the country in order to catch the Ravilious in Essex exhibition in the very historical town of Saffron Walden (with a detour to visit Audley End).
[Henri Fantin-Latour]
After Saffron Walden, I would travel up to Co. Durham to the Bowes Museum to see the glorious flower paintings by Fantin-Latour et al.
[Ford Madox Brown]
I would end the tour in the familiar surroundings of Manchester City Art Gallery; in order to fit everything in, I would ask them to have their Ford Madox Brown exhibition ready for me even though it doesn't open until September.
I would also take in as many tea rooms as a girl can manage in a day, plus any interesting gardens in the The Yellow Book. The more I think about it, the more my Provincial Tour looks very grand indeed.
[Inspired by the Spencer and Fantin-Latour exhibitions, I have selected paintings according to a floral theme, not by what is on display in the relevant galleries. However, I couldn't find the flower detail I was looking for in one of Ford Madox Brown's paintings, so chose a beautiful little painting of his son instead.]
Can I come?
Posted by: Mary de B | May 16, 2011 at 15:10
I'll come too! But did you see that wonderful exhibition at the RA a few years ago, of paintings from provincial galleries? I kept thinking, Gosh - fancy that living there!
Posted by: m | May 16, 2011 at 15:31
What an absolutely brilliant idea. I may 'cadge a lift' to some of those places.
Posted by: Lucille | May 16, 2011 at 15:39
Can I come as well? A lovely idea and if at all possible (and without breaking the bank) it would be wonderful to travel by train.
Posted by: Harriet | May 16, 2011 at 15:44
I was captivated by Brian Sewell's Grand Tour DVD and highly recommend it; passionate and moving and splendid with tea and cake. Your tour sounds lovely Jane, I hope you get to complete it.
Posted by: Gary King | May 16, 2011 at 16:05
Hello Jane,
I've been reading my copy of The Gentle Art of Knitting which I received last Friday, and been enjoying it enormously. I love the pattern for the apron, ever since I saw the apron you knitted a few years ago I've been thinking about it, and having your pattern there will make it much easier to actually knit it. And I love the wine recommendations with the sock pattern. It's chokka full of great patterns for no stress, I love that idea. I notice you got a photographer in to do the photographs, I thought they didn't look like your photographs, they don't have the same quirky and imaginative feel I always think makes your photos stand out and which I love. Congratulations on your new publication! Vanessa xxx
Posted by: do you mind if i knit | May 16, 2011 at 18:03
I'd love to go on this tour too! If we could take in some independent bookshops along the way, so much the better.
Posted by: Jenny | May 16, 2011 at 18:20
My copy of The Gentle Art of knitting arrived today - hurrah! I had something lovely to look at on my commute! Love your idea of a grand tour - wish I could come too!
Posted by: geraldine | May 16, 2011 at 18:36
Don't forget Swindon - modern British art. Worth a stop maybe?
Posted by: Janice | May 16, 2011 at 19:37
Wow! Do you have a lot going on in that country of yours! We can see Warhol in Pittsburg, but you have Fantin-Latour and every other gorgeous flower artist! Enjoy all or as much as you can.
Posted by: Tess | May 16, 2011 at 20:14
Love your idea of a provincial tour but you forgot all the great galleries in Scotland...Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow....
Posted by: Nicky Eglinton | May 16, 2011 at 21:57
How I would love to see all those places but being the otherside of the world I shall just have to read your wondeful blog and dream through books and wish. I have 2 lovely books Bloomsbury at Home and Charleston A bloomsbury Home and Garden.
Posted by: Merilyn | May 17, 2011 at 01:51
Yes, sounds like heaven to me.. unfortunately you will have to travel without me as I am on the other side of the world too!
Posted by: Lydia | May 17, 2011 at 02:54
I knew there was a reason that I so love my Fantin-Latour rose.
Posted by: Sweet Mary | May 17, 2011 at 05:16
Sounds like a wonderful tour to me. You must try and get to see the Bloomsbury exhibition, it's worth the trip. Lots of paintings I hadn't seen before by Grant & Bell and some bits and bobs from the Courtauld too.
Posted by: kim | May 17, 2011 at 08:38
Oh, do it, do it! What a week it would be! I'd love to see the Radical Bloomsburys but Brighton's just a tad too far from Edinburgh :(
Posted by: Zoe, alifelessorderly | May 17, 2011 at 09:32
If you do manage to get to see the Stanley Spencer, then Compton Verney has the most wonderful collection of British Folk Art as well. Not to be missed.
Posted by: Liz Davey | May 17, 2011 at 10:17
You must go to Audley End Jane - one of the loveliest houses I've been to. Lovely gardens too!
Posted by: Cassandra | May 17, 2011 at 13:46
That would be such a great trip.I love Manchester City art gallery.My husband gave a talk to our U3A Art Appreciation group on the Scottish Colourists(Peploe,Fergusson etc).Have you heard of them and know their work?
I am also enjoying The Gentle Art of Knitting.
Posted by: busybusybeejay | May 17, 2011 at 17:23
Is there room for another? Sounds right up my street! xx
Posted by: mrsbris | May 17, 2011 at 20:01
I am game for this. We saw a fabulous flower painting exhibition in New Plymouth, New Zealand, a couple of years ago. We are always wandering into "provincial" museums. Although some would consider Toledo, Ohio, the provinces, Toledo has one of the most fabulous collections. The Libbeys, glass manufacturers in the late 1900's and into the 20th, had a vision that few of us can even imagine. And it's not far from Detroit, also with a fabulous museum.
Posted by: Peg in kensington, California | May 17, 2011 at 20:36
Sounds ace, I can't wait for more Stan S too. The current Compton Verney exhibition (Alfred Wallis and Ben Nicholson plus 19thC sailors' woolwork embroidery) is also great and I can recommend the gallery in Cookham if you like Spencer.
You could add in a lido each day for exercise and a bakery for sustenance - the body needs feeding too.
Posted by: oxslip | May 17, 2011 at 21:21
Please let me echo the suggestion of the Compton Verney. Beside the collection, they have grounds that were designed by Capability Brown, and I understand that the cake in their cafeteria is excellent.
Posted by: Juti | May 17, 2011 at 23:20
I too, love the knitting book. I have already made one and a half teacosies and am about to embark on serious handbaggery. That sounds rude.
IF you really do go to Saffron Walden and would like company, there's a bus that goes there from right outside my house, so name the day and email me about it and I'll look into times, etc!
Posted by: adele geras | May 18, 2011 at 14:09
I live just outside Saffron Walden, and had never come across the Fry gallery so thank you for that. Like adele, if you would like company, would be happy to meet you.
Posted by: Susan | May 19, 2011 at 18:53
oh go on... stretch it to two weeks!
Posted by: Deby (in Canada) | May 20, 2011 at 05:32