Artists, Hastings & Hastings Country Park

I have written before about 19th century artists coming to Hastings and its environs to admire the scenery and to paint, particularly 6 years ago when I wrote a blog about Watercolourists, notably J.M.W. Turner, and a blog about the Pre-Raphaelites. Well, I reminded myself many times whilst walking across Hastings Country Park for my exercise during the COVID-19 Crisis and observing this view down Warren Glen, and particularly when filming this video whilst looking down the glen and admiring the cattle.

One of the founding members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, William Holman Hunt, came to Hastings a number of times, particularly in 1852 to carry out a commission, Our English Coasts, a visit during which he was accompanied by Edward Lear, who requested tutoring, and when they stayed at Clive Vale Farm, which no longer exists. This is discussed in my earlier blog, as is Hunt's painting of the daughter of a local labourer, The Schoolgirl's Hymn. Hunt and Lear were joined by Millais for some of that time, and Hunt was accompanied by Millais again during a later visit in 1858 where they stayed at Fairlight Lodge, when he worked on Fairlight Downs, Sunlight on the Sea (above) which he had originally started during the first visit 6 years previously, and The Schoolgirl's Hymn, which was completed in 1859. 

You will notice that the first photograph above is from slightly below the view from where Holman Hunt worked on Fairlight Downs, Sunlight on the Sea, but this field now is more likely to have either Exmoor Ponies or Belted Galloway Cattle in it, rather than sheep. Also, the dog in the painting was added later I believe, and is likely a black spaniel, but it was suggested in correspondence with Dante Gabriel Rossetti that it was based on the Clive Vale farmer's Newfoundland dog that Hunt met during the 1852 visit.

The fun they had... 😉 and it is a great view, enjoy!

Last TUESDAY Afternoon Guided Old Town Walk for 2018

This afternoon sees the last of the 2018 regular Tuesday afternoon Old Hastings Preservation Society's (OHPS) free guided walks of Hastings Old Town, although there are still two to come on Saturday 15th of September and Sunday 14th of October 2018! If you wish to follow the walk this afternoon, you need to meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift for 2.30pm. A volunteer guide from the OHPS will show you around the old town, with its historic buildings, twittens, and its many stories, and will tell you about the wealth of talented celebrities of their age who have visited and/or lived here, for example, watercolour artists in the early 19th century, including J.M.W. Turner (blog), indeed, the celebrities keep on arriving in the early 21st century!

The walk will proceed across the West Hill and lead gently downhill into the old town with a number of steps involved, and will last about 2 hours. The OHPS provides for this guided walk free of charge, though as it is a registered charity, they would be very grateful for all donations made, many thanks (website). You are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes, and the weather is forecast to be cloudy, so don't be surprised if there is some light rain (Met Office). Whatever, enjoy the afternoon!

Tuesday's Regular Old Town Guided Walk

Tomorrow (28th August) will again be blessed with an opportunity to take part in the Old Hastings Preservation Society's (OHPS) regular Tuesday afternoon free guided walk of Hastings Old Town. If you wish to follow the walk you need to meet up by the top of the West Hill Lift for 2.30pm. A volunteer guide from the OHPS will show you around the old town, with its historic buildings, twittens, and its many stories, and will tell you about the wealth of talented celebrities of their age who have visited and/or lived here, for example, artists in the early 19th century, including J.M.W. Turner (blog), indeed, the celebrities keep on arriving in the early 21st century!

The walk will proceed across the West Hill and lead gently downhill into the old town, with a number of steps involved, and will last about 2 hours. The OHPS provides for this guided walk free of charge, though as a registered charity, they would be very grateful for all donations made, many thanks (website). You are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes, and the weather is forecast to be cloudy with sunny intervals (Met Office). Enjoy the afternoon!