Monday, June 7, 2010

my latest crush

Several of you were asking about my delicious new header image. It's the work of my current artist crush, Meredith Frampton (1894 – 1984), a British painter and etcher. The header above is a cropped version of the Portrait of Marguerite Kelsey (1928). I adore the elegant, yet slightly surreal feel of his work. (Kelsey, by the way, was a celebrated artists' model and one of the last of her kind. She first began posing at the age of 15, in 1924, and so popular did she become that she was often booked months in advance.)

Meredith Frampton was born in London on March 17, 1894, the only son of the noted establishment sculptor Sir George Frampton and the artist Christabel Cockerell. He was educated at St John’s Wood Art School and the at the Royal Academy Schools. Frampton became one of the most sought after portraitists of the inter-war years, but was a painfully slow worker and unsurprisingly, his output was small, but significant.

Portrait of a Young Woman, 1935, Tate

A Game of Patience, 1937
His oil on canvas Portrait of a Young Woman (1935) was presented by the Trustees of the Chantrey Bequest to the Tate. Frampton later said that he painted that picture as "a relaxation from commissions, and to celebrate an assembly of objects… beautiful in their own right". The sitter was Margaret Austin-Jones, then aged 23. Her dress was made up from a Vogue pattern by Frampton’s mother. The vase in the picture made of mahogany, was designed by Frampton himself.

Due to failing eyesight, Frampton retired from the active exercise of his profession in 1953 and fell into obscurity, but his 1982 Tate retrospective somewhat revived his reputation. He wrote of his own work: "I think my principal aim has always been to paint the sort of picture that I would like to own and live with had it been painted by someone else." Frampton died on September 16, 1984.

Frampton's work at the Tate

Ten Dreams

70 comments:

  1. Frampton uses light brilliantly as she catches minute details in her subjects.

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  2. Yes, his use of light is just fabulous. I am in LOVE. (oh, and just so you know, Meredith Frampton was a man, by the way)

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  3. The header is gorgeous and the examples of his work are certainly a style I would enjoy having in my house. I can dream. I've never heard of Frampton and I want to see more of his work.

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  4. Oh Willow how exquisite! thank you for introducing this artist.

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  5. Your crush is worthy and validated. May I share it? Striking and I agree, "elegant yet slightly surreal" all true. I cannot draw a lick and have always admired those who can. Portraits are my favorite.

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  6. Oh, thank you SO much for introducing me to this artist I had never even heard of! How lovely.

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  7. very nice willow...i really like the game of patience one as well...

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  8. Your new header is utterly beautiful, I love Frampton's timeless elegance and style, his works seems to be very fresh and a delight to the senses. Thank you for introducing me to this wonderful artist.

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  9. such clarity of image. peaceful. I had not heard of him before tho had heard of his Father.

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  10. Thanks for the intro to Frampton. Beautiful work.

    When I was in London last fall, we missed the Tate Modern. All the more reason to return...

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  11. Terresa, the Tate is on my bucket list, as well!

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  12. His work is simply classic, elegant and magnetic. Thanks for the introduction to this magnificent artist, Willow!

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  13. Beautiful. You have exquisite taste. Thanks Willow.

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  14. These are very nice paintings. I guess I have never been to the Tate.

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  15. Wowsers! This is exciting.
    This artist is a new one to me
    and I was a history major and Claud worked at the Tate.
    There were so many good painters working in Britain in the 20th century but we only seem to know lots about the avant garde ones
    or the ones who had 'rackety' sex lives (as my teacher at art school always said.)
    The style is like some of the Persephone book covers.
    I wish you could be in our Persephone book group.
    We read such a wickedly good book about an Englishwoman misbehaving during WWII.... not at all Mrs. Miniver

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  16. Oh Boy! you have excellent Taste willow.. Beautiful.

    yvonne

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  17. Love this painting Willow and it looks wonderful cropped for your header. xv

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  18. Brilliant header!

    I agree with the master, that kind of picture I would certainly love to have in my home!

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  19. P.S.:
    In my humble opinion, your new template reflects your style brilliantly and makes for a easily readable blog too! You have hit gold here, girl!

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  20. Thanks, Merisi! I did a mix of the rich background color and kept the white for easy reading of the post texts. I think it's a good combo!

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  21. ewix, what is the name of your "not so Miniver" book? Sounds like one I would love!

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  22. This blog is one of the very best in blogland. The best photography, some by you and some by others that you give full credit. You have an abundance of interesting topics. There is something so classy about this blog. I will figure it out someday, but I am so impressed each time I visit here.

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  23. What a lovely portrait for your new header, and I enjoyed learning about the artist.

    By the way...Summer Home was a hit.

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  24. I am struck by the balance of color in the header portrait. Brick red walls, rusty red on the magnolia bud balanced by the bright red of her shoes. To my eye, the reds frame the subject beautifully.

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  25. Wow these are magnificent. So elegantly beautiful. I think your new header is a very fitting choice for your beautiful blog, because it too exudes elegance. Just lovely!

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  26. Beautiful choice...worthy of loving. His personal view along with highly skilled abilities is brilliant.
    I love the red shoes and the absolute quiet. Thank you for the introduction!

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  27. Willow, when the Colonel & I were in London in '06, The Rookery, our hotel, was within walking distance of St. Paul's and the Tate Modern. I was at first disappointed that time kept me from the Tate Britain in Westminster which houses John Singer Sargent, but the Modern was a huge surprise and close to the Globe! Frampton's pieces were alive and vibrant!

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  28. Love the header. Love the art. Love the dress made by his mother. Love your blog and all the things I find here.

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  29. loverly

    i wonder if he's any relation to peter? tee hee

    thanks for the head's up, hadn't encountered him that i can recollect!

    ah, the tate is marvelous, i hope you make it soon!!

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  30. Someone once told me that no women artists are mentioned in Janson's History of Art, the book we used as a bible in Art school. That was in the 1960's so I do not know if they have updated it since then to include women. I thank you for pointing out another female artist of note. I will have to learn more about her. Thank you, Willow.

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  31. This is stunning, I haven't looked at his work in some time. Masterful.
    I'm so glad I dropped by Willow Manor today!

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  32. Lori, I've got my Janson's History of Art right here in my little personal library from when I studied art in college. The 1974 version doesn't have many, if any women, either.

    And, oh, sorry to disappoint you, but Meredith Frampton happens to be a man, by the way.

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  33. Beautiful work! I can see why you have a crush on him.

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  34. Your blog is a place for me to visit, relax, learn, and be lifted up from the sometime doldrums of everyday life. And for you to trouble yourself with posting the "histories" is a bonus which completes my enjoyment of just being here.
    Thank you again, Willow!

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  35. This is truly an elegant header – you have beautiful taste.

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  36. Oh, yes, I love his paintings -- the women so cool and serene!

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  37. Wow -- I've never heard of him, but boy do I love his painting! Thank you so much for "exposing" us to him, Willow. I look forward to someday seeing more of his work. (And those red shoes are just awesome!)

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  38. I can remember the day when I first saw that painting (the one with the cello). It was at The Tate, not Tate Modern. I was completely amazed by his brilliant technique. It's one of those paintings you look at close up, and can hardly believe how he managed it. I'm not surprised he took so long over them!

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  39. Wow, he's amazing! I love "A Game of Patience." Haha! I think I may have to find a print of that one!

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  40. How magnificent. I have never come across Frampton before. His work almost is the painted equivalent of those stone reliefs you find on buildings of the inter-war years. There is something magestic but slightly unreal about it.

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  41. Yes, Willow,
    you found a perfect solution with that new template!
    I love the background color. We had the family room walls painted in a similar Pratt & Lambert color (the wood trims white). Wished I had not left my color samples book of the house with the new owners.

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  42. I saw your new header picture on A Bloomsbury Life's blog and like you, I am enchanted by his work. Thank you for your research. There is a touch of Tamara de Lempinski, but much more elegant. I would love to own one, so I must research whether that's feasible, without mortgaging the farm.

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  43. She totally looks worthy of a crush. What a fabulous photo/painting!!

    Di

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  44. I'm with you there Willow. His work is elegant, delicate and definitely cerebral.

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  45. Love the header, so peaceful and dreamlike, as are the other works, interesting!

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  46. Willow,
    what a wealth of information and inspiration you are .

    These paintings seriously boggle the mind. I 'm certain that isn't an appropriate art appreciation term , but still.

    off to google this genius.

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  47. Exquisite. It's the red shoes that draw me ... and the hands. Lovely, lovely hands. Thank you for introducing me to Meredith. I had not heard of his work before.

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  48. What wonderful work, I can see why you would have a "crush" on it.

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  49. Ooooh, such an "other-worldy" quality about these. Wonderful! I'm not familiar with him--thanks for the introduction, Willow!

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  50. Willow.... can we both "love" Mr. Frampton and share? What beauty.... he did indeed have the "gift".... the light on and around his subjects is wonderful.
    (Of course he had excellent taste in selecting his models...look at their lovely, long fingers...exsquisite!)

    Thank you for reminding us about this amazing man!

    Hugs,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  51. Never heard of Frampton, but I must say I love that picture of that very cool young lady.

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  52. I am amazed at the detail in his paintings. I can't stop staring at the fingers and hands, so perfect and delicate.
    A worthy crush!

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  53. Interesting images--I hadn't heard of Frampton previously. Thanks!

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  54. Hello Willow,

    Your header certainly is great and complements the blog colours beautifully. I like the stylised look of his work that really capture the era.

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  55. His work seems extemely controlled and stylized, in the best way..an inner poise radiates..
    I had a crush on a Frampton too..remember Peter? Saw him perform last week..still fine, grey hair..OK with me..

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  56. The paintings are exquisite! No wonder you have such a crush. Love your passionate relationship with the arts, Willow. You rock.

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  58. Willow,
    have you been over at Carol's Paris Breakfasts today? She visited master watercolor artist Ian Sidaway. I had to tell you.

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  59. I've seen that painting in the Tate Modern Art Gallery in London, quite recently and yes, it is exquisite. The Tate Modern is a wonderful art gallery, right on the banks of the River Thames and reached by crossing the Millennium Bridge, should you ever care to go there.
    Blessings, Star

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  60. Absolutely stunning images. It would have been a pleasure to focus on a subject so beautiful.

    CJ xx

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  61. Merisi, thank you so much for the link to Carol's blog. (I've added her to my blogroll) Sidaway's artwork is just amazing!!

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  62. Even though I was an art major in school I never got around to taking nearly enough art history. Consequently I am not familiar with this artist. However, I will make myself familiar as his work is delightful!
    Thank you so much for the introduction. :)

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  63. I love your new header, too! Thanks for the introduction to this very interesting artist's work.

    Re: The dessert disasters I mentioned were from a local bakery/restaurant, but the ones pictured were all deeeeelicious!

    Catherine

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  64. Egads, Willow... I hope you don't mind sharing a crush! What great stuff!!!! My favorite is the game of patience.

    Off to google it...

    I stared at your header for several minutes trying to figure out if it was a photo or a painting, or a photo that had been painted over.

    Tres coolio!

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  65. Ooooo.... I am so very glad to meet your new crush. Frampton is marvelous. His use of light puts me in mind of Vermeer somehow.

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  66. This is a beautiful blog page. I really like the articles and also the page layout. Nice job.

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  67. OH!! It;' Frampton. I was not familiar with this. Glad i went back far enough to catch it. Lovely.
    Hee. I wasn't sure if the crush was the artist or the picture of the model there at first. LOL

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)