During the visit of Francesca Boschieri to see the Bicknell collection of Clarence Bicknell images on 29 May, she and Patrizia Zanardi identified the location of one of Clarence Bicknell’s wonderfully-light landscapes in pencil and watercolour. It turns out that these steps lead up to the cathedral in the town of Cervo in Liguria, 40 […]
Clarence’s watercolour at Cervo Read More »
We were at the presentation of the book The English in Liguria at the Italian Embassy in London on Thursday. Continuing the theme this week of the Italians’ appreciation of Clarence Bicknell’s works 1842-1918, we were delighted to host the visit of Francesca Centurione-Scotto Boschieri (Chair of the Amici dei Giardini Botanici Hanbury, founder-member of
Boschieri Bicknell beatification Read More »
The Casa Fontanalba Visitors’ Book has proved to be a useful research tool. Since the list of Clarence Bicknell’s guests in his mountain home were transcribed by Marcus Bicknell in 2005 onto an Excel spreadsheet, several researchers have found by Googling a mention of someone they were researching. This has enabled them to spread their
Casa Fontanalba Visitors’ Book – transcript completed Read More »
My talk on Elhanan Bicknell (Clarence’s father, whale oil tycoon and patron of many artists including J. M. W. Turner) for the Kensington and Chelsea Over-50s Forum in Chelsea on 20th April 2023 alongside Selby Wittingham of the Independent Turner Society has had a welcome result. Their Marketing & Fundraising Director Mina Nakhai has invited
Talk on Clarence in London on 5th October 2023 Read More »
I am delighted to see that Sharon O’Connor of the Dulwich Society www.dulwichsociety.com published back in 2020 a good essay on Elhanan Bicknell’s house at Herne Hill. This is the mansion full of art where Clarence Bicknell grew up, learning to paint and draw from his mother Lucinda. Sharon’s paper is a very good essay
Clarence’s childhood home, and what happened to the house Read More »
We have just spent a pleasurable and stimulating day in London town presenting to the Kensington and Chelsea Over-50s Forum; beautifully run and in close harmony with the borough council. The event was in the presentation room of the Holy Trinity Church Sloane Square and I presented alongside Turner expert Selby Wittingham. One of the
Elhanan Bicknell, Clarence’s father, live in London Read More »
A Victorian Polymath in the Maritime Alps: A Passion for Wild Flowers The exhibition of botanical art and creations of Clarence Bicknell (1842-1918), as well as other UK-Italian themes, in the Guildhall Art Gallery during Q3 2024 presents exciting opportunities for sponsors, donors, and stakeholders to celebrate links with Italy. The exhibition coincides with Alderman
Clarence Bicknell Exhibition in The Guildhall London and Genova in 2024 Read More »
Number 61 in our series of images by Clarence Bicknell. The Children’s Picture Book of Flowers, an album of water colours by Clarence Bicknell. Sempervivum and other red flowers. Flowers are arranged by colour or type but the botanical texts are far from childlike. https://bit.ly/3gKq8fk Clarence’s albums are carefully designed and colour coordinated. The Children’s
Lychnis flos-jovis in The Children’s Picture Book of Flowers, Read More »
The famous letter of 31 July 1845 from Joseph Mallord William Turner to his patron Elhanan Bicknell is up for sale again. The asking price in February 2023 at Antiquariat INLIBRIS Gilhofer Nfg. is € 9,500.00, three times the hammer price of $ 2,750 in May 2017. Turner was a frequent visitor to Elhanan Bicknell’s mansion
I have a whale or two on the canvas… Turner’s letter to Elhanan Bicknell Read More »
We publish today the spreadsheet of every letter and drawing by Clarence in the Bicknell Family Collection. We have over 2,000 data points, those are works by Clarence which have a date and place written on them. We have been able to trace his movements from his arrival in Bordighera in 1878 to his death
The Chronology of Clarence’s Life and Works Read More »
