W. H. Allen (artist)
William Herbert Allen (1863–1943) was an
Style and influences
Many of his paintings were produced "in the field" and are bold in their depiction of light and shadows, or of changing weather conditions. His studio works are generally larger and of greater detail. Very few were sold on the open market, but he did exhibit regularly at the major galleries and annual exhibitions.[2]
Allen embraced many styles and techniques from vivid, almost abstract, watercolours to more traditional oils and watercolours. His field sketches and studies are considered to be particularly successful and were painted in all weathers and conditions.[2]
He was a private and modest man who changed peoples' perception of their surroundings. In this he was helped by fellow Farnham resident and friend George Sturt, whose writings reflect Allen's approach to the recording of rural life and change. Thanks to their work, urban and rural landscapes began to be preserved at a time when "progress" was causing sweeping changes.[2]
In the 1880s, the depiction of life and work in the countryside was subject to two very different approaches, the traditional rural romanticism/sentimentality - thatched cottages with roses around the door and contented happy harvest scenes (e.g.
Royal College of Art and early study tours
Allen entered the Royal College of Art in 1884, where he came under the influence of its Director, Thomas Armstrong, a disciple of William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement. This was to remain his predominant influence throughout his working life as an artist and teacher. In 1888 he was awarded a silver medal and a scholarship of £50, enabling him to travel to Europe, the first of many continental trips which resulted in some of his finest work.[2]
Teaching
Allen was still a student at the Royal College of Art when he became an evening lecturer in Design, being awarded the college's Diploma of Associateship at the same time. He then became master of the Sydenham Art Class, after receiving a reference from his college principal, who considered him "the most successful lecturer and instructor I have known".[2]
In November 1889 Allen was appointed Master of Farnham Art School where his abilities were soon recognised by Farnham Urban District Council and later Surrey County Council, as he was made Director of the Art School, a post he retained until his retirement in December 1927. Allen gave private wood carving lessons to Harold Falkner who later became an architect and leading light in the preservation of Georgian Farnham.
Stranger's Corner
By 1897 Allen was sufficiently settled in the Farnham area to commission Harold Falkner to design a house for him. Situated on the Tilford Road, "Strangers Corner" was to remain Allen's home until 1932, and is the subject of one of his best-known paintings, now in the Farnham Museum.[3] Falkner later paid tribute to Allen's contribution to the early building conservation movement in an article published in Country Life in July 1942: "Allen transformed our outlook, which thought nothing of our Georgian past and relegated its furniture to the attics if it were not sawn up".
The Allen Gallery, Alton
This gallery, whilst dedicated to the memory of Allen, shows works by a wide variety of artists and has frequently changing exhibitions, including occasional large exhibitions of Allen's work. Allen's work permanently on display here comprises the following watercolours:
- The Juice Girl
- Building the hayrick, King's Farm, Binsted
- The rick yard, King's Farm, Binsted
- King's Farm and hop kilns, Binsted (1)
- King's Farm and hop kilns, Binsted (2)
- Going Home - Waverley Woods
- Happy Seclusion - Boulogne-sur-Mer, France
- Feeding the chickens
Further reading
- Penfold, Alastair; Cross, Tony (2005). A Modest Genius - the life and paintings of William Herbert Allen. Hampshire County Council.
- Munro-Faure, Alice (1992). William Herbert Allen. West Sussex College of Art and Design (WSCAD).
References
- ^ a b Penfold, Alastair (1989). Gillett, John (ed.). W. H. Allen 1863-1943, Landscape Artist. Hampshire County Council.(exhibition catalogue)
- ^ a b c d e f "Allen Gallery". Hampshire Cultural Trust. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- Waverley Borough Council. Archived from the originalon 11 April 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2020.