Cathy's Art Diary

Delightful exhibition at the Wallace Collection looking at how Disney was inspired by the Rococo. There was a lovely juxtaposition of original Rococo pieces from the collection with artwork from the Disney studios and good explanations of the creative process. The show focused on Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast but also included other examples from earlier in Disney’s career. I loved the clips from the 1934 short film “The China Shop” which featured dancing China figures and were shown next to Sevres examples on small turntables to give them movement. There were good descriptions of the artists involved and a focus on how Disney often used female artists. I loved the room at the end with examples of Rococo furniture and China in a setting designed to represent the Hall of Mirrors. A really innovative approach to a small space. Closes 16 October 2022 Reviews Times Guardian Telegraph Evening Standard      

Engaging online lecture from the Wallace Collection introducing their current exhibition on the influence of the Rococo on the designs of the Walt Disney studio. Helen Jackson, curator of the exhibition and formally of the Wallace Collection, explained how Walt Disney spent time in France both in the First World War, as an ambulance driver and later in 1935 when he bought illustrated fairy stories and art books as the start of a research library for the company. She talked us though the Rococo influences in the films both plans which came to fruition such as “Beauty and the Beast” and others which changed during the production process such as “Cinderella”. She pointed out that one of the earliest animations involved porcelain figures which came to life and danced. She also looked at the similarities in workshop traditions between Disney and the porcelain factories with the idea of many skills being employed and the importance of small, repetitive and highly skilled tasks. I can...