A free fine art exhibition at Eton College goes on display to the public today. The exhibition – An Etonian Collector – will feature the work of local and well-known artists and is the first time in living memory that many of these works have been accessible to the public.
An Etonian Collector will show an eclectic mix of 28 works by the likes of J.M.W. Turner (1775–1851), J.R. Cozens (1752–1797), David Cox Snr (1783–1859), and Peter de Wint (1784–1849). They include watercolours, oil paintings and drawings. A watercolour by Turner is an early study of trees made at nearby Norbury Park, in Surrey.
The collection was bequeathed to the College by Old Etonian Richard Amis, who attended the school on a scholarship from 1945 to 1950. He began to collect art after being inspired by his Eton tutor, Charles R.N. Routh, who collected watercolours.
The exhibition also features work by local Eton artist Nora Davison (1855–1950). Davison specialised in painting buildings of Eton and became well-known to the community as she sat outside in all weathers to paint.
The College was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI, who is represented in this collection by a print based on a panel from a stained-glass window from the chapel of All Souls College, Oxford, made during the King’s lifetime.
Philippa Martin, Keeper of Fine & Decorative Art at Eton College, said, “This is a wonderfully personal and yet wide-ranging collection. We are delighted to be able to offer opportunities to view the collection formed by Richard Amis at two venues and hope to continue to widen access to the Eton Collections in future.”
An Etonian Collector: The Richard Amis Bequest
The Verey Gallery, Eton College
16 November 2023 to 24 March 2024
Open 2.30pm to 5pm on Sundays, or by appointment
