Artists and Neighbours: The Holland Park Circle

Fascinating exhibition at Leighton House looking at the artists that built studios around Little Holland House in the 19th century.

The show was quite small but clearly explained and beautifully set out. I loved the labels which gave the artists name, address, architect of their studio and date they moved in. They also explained the links between the people.

I thought I knew this group well due to their links to the Bloomsbury Group but I was introduced to some wonderful new characters. My favourite was Emile Isabel Barrington who was an amateur artist who trained with G.F.Watts and helped to make the house we were in a museum. It was a lovely touch to include not only a couple of paintings by her but a bust by Mary Thornycroft who had a studio next door to her.

Can I also take the opportunity to point out the excellent recent refurbishment of house which has reinstated the original entrance and added new exhibition space and a café. There is also a compact new staircase which has been decorated with a mural by Iranian artist Shahrzad Ghaffari and helps the flow around the house.

Closed 19 March 2023

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