Antony Williams : In stillness - Life

Exquisite exhibition at Messums of portraits by Antony Williams.

Williams works in egg tempura giving a detailed matt finish and up close you can see the tiny, multicoloured hatch marks which create the effect. As a fan of early Italian egg tempura works it is always fascinating to see the technique used by contemporary artists.

The show consisted of two sets of work. One revisited models he had used before and introduced a new one. The last show of his I saw was of still lives he did in lockdown and a is was delightful to spot the doll’s house which featured in some of those in the background of one picture.

Most moving though were a series he had done of the landlady of his studio. He painted a picture of her every year for 15 years until she died aged 96. The picture I am using here is of that last portrait. These were a tender but honest study of old age.

Closed 14 October 2022

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