DisPatch from Clark Collection/Creative New Zealand Scholar Claire Regnault
Six weeks into her two month Clark Collection/Creative New Zealand Scholarship in Britain, TheNewDowse’s Concept Development Manager, Claire Regnault has finally joined the land of the interweb.
In this email dispatch, she tells us about her 19 day race across the English countryside with 47 fellow curators to absorb the expertise of 60 specialist guest lecturers.
“Well at the heart of the scholarship is the Attingham Trust Summer School, a three week intensive course dedicated to the architectural and social history of the English country house, their gardens and landscape setting, their magnificent collections of fine and decorative arts, and issues relating to their conservation and presentation
“During this time we visited well over 25 properties in Sussex, Derbyshire and finally East Anglia, (the university of which is in grave danger of being completely consumed by rabbits!) Our days were spent exploring the exteriors andinteriors of some of England's most significant houses including Hardwick Hall, built by the formidable Countess of Shrewsberry in the Elizabethen period (known as Bess of Hardwick), and Chatsworth, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.”
At the more 'modern' end of the spectrum we visited Standen, which was designed by Arts & Crafts architect Philip Webb and is filled with furnishings by William Morris & Co and his circle. At only 21 rooms, Standen was positively cosy compared to the other properties visited.
When the weatherpermitted (this July has been England's wettest ever!), we marched across parks toexperience Repton and Capabilty Brown's prowess in creating views, and experienced the delights of formal gardens.
Following a week meeting colleagues at the V&A Museum,I am about to visit another group of houses, this time under the auspices of The National Trust. In comparison the Attingham Summer School, I am focusing my visits predominantlyon 20th century houses and collections including Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant's house Charleston and Erno Goldfinger's house at Willow Road.
An exception, however, is Clandon Park, the last house on my itinerary. Built c.1730 for the 2nd Lord Onslow by the Venetian architect Giacomo Leoni, Clandon Park features wonderful collections of 18th-century furniture, porcelain, and textiles. Most uniquely, however, thegarden is home to a Maori meeting house brought back in 1892 by the 4th Earl of Onslow, who was Governor General.
It will be a nice reminder of home just before I head to the airport.