Richard Morris
@ahistoryinart.bsky.social
Art historian, dealer/art consultant 19thC and 20thC British/European art. Writing book on lesser known great artists. Seen in/on: CNN, NBC, The Spectator, The Times etc Posts by RM and others.
website: richardmorris.org
[email protected]
website: richardmorris.org
[email protected]
For Algernon Newton buildings were living entities, vulnerable to the ravages of time, neglect or weather. period curiosities, timeless and unreal. This work, painted as a monotone picture, depicts 'Dovehouse Street, Chelsea,' in London, 1920.
November 24, 2025 at 10:32 PM
For Algernon Newton buildings were living entities, vulnerable to the ravages of time, neglect or weather. period curiosities, timeless and unreal. This work, painted as a monotone picture, depicts 'Dovehouse Street, Chelsea,' in London, 1920.
Painted in 1897, 'Les messieurs en noir,' is a strikingly modern picture for its time yet steeped in an artistic tradition that stretches back to the 17thC. Dutch genre painting with its modest subjects and bold contrasts of light and dark was a key influence on Èdouard Vuillard.
November 24, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Painted in 1897, 'Les messieurs en noir,' is a strikingly modern picture for its time yet steeped in an artistic tradition that stretches back to the 17thC. Dutch genre painting with its modest subjects and bold contrasts of light and dark was a key influence on Èdouard Vuillard.
An essay on murals and public art. Please let me know your comments. 'Life in a Boarding House,' (1930) by Eric Ravilious,' for Morley College, London was destroyed in WW2. richardmorris.org/blog-1-1/mural…
November 24, 2025 at 3:55 PM
An essay on murals and public art. Please let me know your comments. 'Life in a Boarding House,' (1930) by Eric Ravilious,' for Morley College, London was destroyed in WW2. richardmorris.org/blog-1-1/mural…
Almost all paintings that show a mirror and a reflection get the optical relations wrong - to see the image as unlikely is to miss its point, it's practically the only way to compose a two-fold image to reveal a hidden face, as Walter Sickert does here in this work from 1906.
November 24, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Almost all paintings that show a mirror and a reflection get the optical relations wrong - to see the image as unlikely is to miss its point, it's practically the only way to compose a two-fold image to reveal a hidden face, as Walter Sickert does here in this work from 1906.
'La Cantina.' (c1937) Famed for his huge murals across North America and Mexico, by the time of this work, Diego Rivera had dedicated himself almost exclusively to easel painting. There's a feeling of serenity in this picture, of ease; appropriate given the subject.
November 24, 2025 at 8:26 AM
'La Cantina.' (c1937) Famed for his huge murals across North America and Mexico, by the time of this work, Diego Rivera had dedicated himself almost exclusively to easel painting. There's a feeling of serenity in this picture, of ease; appropriate given the subject.
'Sunset,' (1893) probably shows a view over the Lake Pielinen near Koli in eastern Finland. The leading artistic personalities of Eero Järnefelt's generation, from Jean Sibelius to Akseli Gallen-Kallela, regarded Karelia as a lost paradise.
November 23, 2025 at 9:46 PM
'Sunset,' (1893) probably shows a view over the Lake Pielinen near Koli in eastern Finland. The leading artistic personalities of Eero Järnefelt's generation, from Jean Sibelius to Akseli Gallen-Kallela, regarded Karelia as a lost paradise.
'Artichokes and Cathay Quinces.' Unlike other still-lifes, those by Morandi for example, John Aldridge's objects are not huddled, withdrawn or being squashed into each other so we can be sure the fruit and the flower heads are as he found them. This is from 1967.
November 23, 2025 at 7:50 PM
'Artichokes and Cathay Quinces.' Unlike other still-lifes, those by Morandi for example, John Aldridge's objects are not huddled, withdrawn or being squashed into each other so we can be sure the fruit and the flower heads are as he found them. This is from 1967.
'Winter Trees.' (1890) Benjamin Haughton had a remarkable facility for painting woodland. Here, he's pictured a segment of a copse with exquisitely rendered detail which brings with it the stillness and mystery that characterizes his best landscapes.
November 23, 2025 at 5:57 PM
'Winter Trees.' (1890) Benjamin Haughton had a remarkable facility for painting woodland. Here, he's pictured a segment of a copse with exquisitely rendered detail which brings with it the stillness and mystery that characterizes his best landscapes.
In February 1887, Georges Seurat exhibited his 'Après-midi à la Grande Jatte,' in Brussels - it caused a sensation. The painting made its mark on Alfred Finch, who turned to divisionism in the winter of 1887. His 'The Road to Nieuport,' was made the following year.
November 23, 2025 at 1:34 PM
In February 1887, Georges Seurat exhibited his 'Après-midi à la Grande Jatte,' in Brussels - it caused a sensation. The painting made its mark on Alfred Finch, who turned to divisionism in the winter of 1887. His 'The Road to Nieuport,' was made the following year.
Two key moments happened in Félix Vallotton’s life in 1899: he married his wife Gabrielle (seen here slumbering in bed), and he decided to fully commit himself to painting rather than the more profitable line of engraving.
November 23, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Two key moments happened in Félix Vallotton’s life in 1899: he married his wife Gabrielle (seen here slumbering in bed), and he decided to fully commit himself to painting rather than the more profitable line of engraving.
An artist’s studio has long been one of the great subjects in painting. Harley Griffiths positions his easel at an angle that keeps its canvas hidden from us. The artist himself is out of sight, yet we sense his presence in the act of creating the work (1948) we’re looking at.
November 22, 2025 at 8:44 PM
An artist’s studio has long been one of the great subjects in painting. Harley Griffiths positions his easel at an angle that keeps its canvas hidden from us. The artist himself is out of sight, yet we sense his presence in the act of creating the work (1948) we’re looking at.
Examining Benjamin Haughton again, one is struck less by his landscapes than by this curious painting of a woman in a churchyard (c1910). It is a picture devoid of sentiment; its interest lies entirely in the orchestration of form, which is what gives it its strength.
November 22, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Examining Benjamin Haughton again, one is struck less by his landscapes than by this curious painting of a woman in a churchyard (c1910). It is a picture devoid of sentiment; its interest lies entirely in the orchestration of form, which is what gives it its strength.
'Reading in the Dining Room.' (1924) was painted at Lucy and Jos Hessel’s home in Vaucresson. Jos, of the art gallery Bernheim-Jeune, became Vuillard’s dealer in 1912, and Lucy was one of Vuillard’s great loves, their relationship lasted over 30 years until his death in 1940.
November 22, 2025 at 1:52 PM
'Reading in the Dining Room.' (1924) was painted at Lucy and Jos Hessel’s home in Vaucresson. Jos, of the art gallery Bernheim-Jeune, became Vuillard’s dealer in 1912, and Lucy was one of Vuillard’s great loves, their relationship lasted over 30 years until his death in 1940.
Reposted by Richard Morris
'Ні everyone ☺️👋 I’m raising money for charity by selling prints and cards of my artwork. They look exactly like my paintings! If you have a chance to look that would mean a lot, every card really makes a difference ❤️
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November 20, 2025 at 6:34 PM
'Ні everyone ☺️👋 I’m raising money for charity by selling prints and cards of my artwork. They look exactly like my paintings! If you have a chance to look that would mean a lot, every card really makes a difference ❤️
Please share 🙏🥰 benjaminfallow.etsy.com
Please share 🙏🥰 benjaminfallow.etsy.com
Honor Appleton captured childhood innocence without sentimentality. 'The Boy Lay Upon the Hillside,' (1917) shows her subtle watercolour technique to a tee. She illustrated over 150 books, including the Josephine series, helping shape early 20thC children’s illustration.
November 22, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Honor Appleton captured childhood innocence without sentimentality. 'The Boy Lay Upon the Hillside,' (1917) shows her subtle watercolour technique to a tee. She illustrated over 150 books, including the Josephine series, helping shape early 20thC children’s illustration.
Many late-19th-century paintings depict people reading, a motif that symbolizes intelligence and personal introspection. For artists such as Georg Pauli, the absorbed reader offered a relatable way to express the era’s growing appreciation for private reflection.
November 21, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Many late-19th-century paintings depict people reading, a motif that symbolizes intelligence and personal introspection. For artists such as Georg Pauli, the absorbed reader offered a relatable way to express the era’s growing appreciation for private reflection.
To those who asked, the artist is Frank Dickson. His early work is very collectable and work like this should be selling for around £1500. The hammer went down at £32. Great result for the buyer, not so good for the vendor.
November 21, 2025 at 6:34 PM
To those who asked, the artist is Frank Dickson. His early work is very collectable and work like this should be selling for around £1500. The hammer went down at £32. Great result for the buyer, not so good for the vendor.
'A Man Fishing.' Akseli Gallen Kallela spent several months in Budapest in 1908 before leaving for Paris. Although he painted very little during his stay in Hungary, he did produce a few studies of figures in landscapes - he did not find the Hungarian scenery inspiring.
November 21, 2025 at 3:46 PM
'A Man Fishing.' Akseli Gallen Kallela spent several months in Budapest in 1908 before leaving for Paris. Although he painted very little during his stay in Hungary, he did produce a few studies of figures in landscapes - he did not find the Hungarian scenery inspiring.
Writing an essay on murals and public art; so many pieces of work commissioned for the Festival of Britain in 1951 were destroyed when it closed. Edward Bawden's colossal 'Country Life' (47 feet by 36 feet) depicting scenes from national life is officially 'lost.'
November 21, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Writing an essay on murals and public art; so many pieces of work commissioned for the Festival of Britain in 1951 were destroyed when it closed. Edward Bawden's colossal 'Country Life' (47 feet by 36 feet) depicting scenes from national life is officially 'lost.'
It is remarkable to think Ellen Thesleff painted this portrait of her sister Thyra Elisabeth in 1892. After leaving Finland the previous year to study in Paris, Ellen returned home and became one of the key figures who introduced Impressionism to the country.
November 21, 2025 at 9:03 AM
It is remarkable to think Ellen Thesleff painted this portrait of her sister Thyra Elisabeth in 1892. After leaving Finland the previous year to study in Paris, Ellen returned home and became one of the key figures who introduced Impressionism to the country.
Turner was the first ‘modern’ painter; who directly inspired the impressionism of the 19thC and presaged the abstract expressionism of the 20thC. 'Evening Star,' (1830) is all the proof you need.
November 20, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Turner was the first ‘modern’ painter; who directly inspired the impressionism of the 19thC and presaged the abstract expressionism of the 20thC. 'Evening Star,' (1830) is all the proof you need.
'A Woman in a Red Dress Knitting.' (1936) Whilst at the Slade School, Jesse Dale Cast took Henry Tonks’s draughtsmanship to heart. His figures have an almost sculptural stillness about them, reminiscent of Dod Procter’s work from a decade earlier.
November 20, 2025 at 7:06 PM
'A Woman in a Red Dress Knitting.' (1936) Whilst at the Slade School, Jesse Dale Cast took Henry Tonks’s draughtsmanship to heart. His figures have an almost sculptural stillness about them, reminiscent of Dod Procter’s work from a decade earlier.
'Winter in London.' Emile Claus painted this work of the River Thames in 1916 near Norfolk Street between Charing Cross and Temple. The scene lends itself to comparisons with Turner, Whistler and Monet's many riverscapes featuring familiar London landmarks.
November 20, 2025 at 1:01 PM
'Winter in London.' Emile Claus painted this work of the River Thames in 1916 near Norfolk Street between Charing Cross and Temple. The scene lends itself to comparisons with Turner, Whistler and Monet's many riverscapes featuring familiar London landmarks.
This painting is coming up for auction soon, and the saleroom isn’t sure who painted it. Is it worth buying, who painted it and what might it be worth? As part of my paid content, I’ll be posting one painting each week and talking about whether it’s really worth the investment.
November 20, 2025 at 9:56 AM
This painting is coming up for auction soon, and the saleroom isn’t sure who painted it. Is it worth buying, who painted it and what might it be worth? As part of my paid content, I’ll be posting one painting each week and talking about whether it’s really worth the investment.
John Arnesby Brown's 'The Cross Roads,' (c1953) depicts a junction at Hadiscoe in Norfolk on the Reedham to Beccles road. St Mary's church, v with its distinctive Saxon round tower, sits on an area of higher ground and is a landmark for miles around.
November 20, 2025 at 8:26 AM
John Arnesby Brown's 'The Cross Roads,' (c1953) depicts a junction at Hadiscoe in Norfolk on the Reedham to Beccles road. St Mary's church, v with its distinctive Saxon round tower, sits on an area of higher ground and is a landmark for miles around.