Cotmania. Vol. X. 1934-5

WINCHESTER ART CLUB

WATER COLOURS AND ENGRAVINGS
The characteristic appeal of the better works in the exhibition of rthe Winchester Art Club is that of intelligent direction - planning of the picture, selection of what is essential to it, and economy of means in representation, with the chief responsibility upon drawing, actual or implied. Freer work, depending upon balance in tones of colour, is not wanting, but there is very little desultory sketching. Intelligence may not be the highest quality in art, but it is better than pseudo-inspiration - besides implying modesty in the artist.
This characteristic appeal make pertinent the special feature of the present exhibition, the fifteenth, which opens at the Judge's Lodgings, Winchester, today: a loan collection of drawings of the "early" English water-colour school, with special reference to Cotman, Towne, and Rowlandson. Most of the drawings are from the collection of Mr. Sydney D. Kitson, whoc has been extremely generous with his treasures, while others have been lent by Mr Paul Oppe.
The Times Oct: 4th. 1935

Gallery 2 is a most important and interesting room, for here are the most valuable works lent by Mr Sydney D Kitson, Mr Paul Oppe and Mr Samuel Bostock, in addition to the loans in Gallery 1 lent by General Sir John Capper. The Cotmans are very representative of the Norwich School, and the founder of that very school is happily represented by a very characteristic work (38). John Crome, or "Old Crome" as he was known, lives by his pictures of the places and things that he loved: he did not "compose" his landscapes; he did not select "beautiful" regions; and he is represented here by a "Pig-Stye," which demonstrates how his pictures of the simplest things have a largeness of conception and subtlety of colour. J S Cotman's art is exhibited by numerous pictures from his French, Italian and Welsh travels as well as from his Lincolnshire home, and his famous treatment of trees may be seen in No. 42. Francis Towne, a contemporary landscape painter is represented by the important large drawing (56) and a smaller work. It is said of Thomas Rowlandson (1755-1827) that he had "drawn all England." His works here (52, 53, 54 and 59) show that he was much more than the designer and etcher of caricatures. Born in a narrow lane of Old London, he grew up amongst the people : his art reflects it.
Hampshire Chronicle 5.10.35.

ART IN WINCHESTER

LOAN OF EARLY ENGLISH WATER-COLOURS
The city of Winchester has a flourishing Art Club, whose annual exhibitions are often of more than local interest. Of exceptional importance is the exhibition which opened yesterday at the Judge's Lodgings in The Close, for, in addition to a number of works by well-known London and Winchester artists, this contains a valuable loan collection of Early English Watercolours.
Cotman, whose fame has so rapidly increased among connoisseurs in recent years, is magnificently represented by some 15 works, one of those from Mr Sydney Kitson's collection being an outstanding example of the artist's best period, which has never before been publicly exhibited. There are also several particularly good examples of Francis Towne, who exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1775 to 1810.
The amateur contributions from members of the Winchester Art Club maintain an unusually high standard, and emerge with credit from the ordeal of comparison with invited works from professional painters of established reputation.
The exhibition is open on Sunday afternoons from 2 to 4.30 p.m., and will remain on view in The Judges' Lodgings till Sunday, October 27.
Sunday Times. 6.10.35

LOAN COLLECTION
In regard to the loan collection those responsible for this splendid addition to this year's exhibition are deserving of the highest commendation, and particularly those friends of the Art Club who released them from their private collections to this end. The Club is highly indebted to these, and, indeed, all who value the opportunity of studying the original drawings of such masters of the past as Thomas Rowlandson, J S Cotman, John Crome, John Constable, and David Lucas, and, in particular, warm thanks are due to Mr Sydney D Kitson, for so kindly loaning to the Art Club so many delightful examples from his collection. The approach made to him by Prof. Gleadowe on behalf of the Club met with an instant and cordial response, and all artists who are now able to study these pictures at the exhibition will be indebted to the owner for this act of kindness. Others who kindly loaned pictures in this gallery were Mr Paul Oppe and Mr Samuel Bostock, both of whom are also deserving of warm thanks. The exhibition was opened to the public yesterday (Friday), and will remain open until Sunday, October 27th inclusive, thus giving all who are in any way interested in the delectable art of watercolour plenty of opportunities for visiting it, and studying the delightful collection of pictures hung in each gallery. There was no formal opening ceremony, and this is the rule now carried out by the Club each year, its place being taken by an informal gathering of members of the Club and their friends, who meet for social intercourse to discuss the pictures on view over the ever-friendly cup of tea which is dispensed at this gathering.
Hampshire Observer 5.10.35.