The story of Fred Appleyard’s (1874 – 1963) artistic career is one that seems to have been lost to art history. Working successfully as an accomplished Pre-Raphaelite styled painter at the turn of the century, Appleyard moved to Hampshire after the First World War and became captivated by his surroundings, changing his painting approach to British Impressionism.
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of his birth, this specially curated exhibition draws together gems from private and public collections and seeks to reintroduce Appleyard as one of Britain’s finest painters.
The exhibition includes rural landscapes of chalk streams and dappled light, tender portraits where light dances off the skin or is reflected in the dazzling Itchen water, and jewel-like, floral still-lives. His exceptional talent for colour and light can be seen in works such as Garden at Lane End, Itchen Stoke (c1935) and Moonrise over the River Itchen (c1953).
An events programme will accompany the exhibition, including curators tours.
Image: Itchen Valley Landscape with Figure, c1930
