1) Cranes on Seashore by Koson Ohara 1877-1945- Alan Lewis

This is woodblock print from the Taisho period (1912-1926)

Taishō is a period in the history of Japan dating from 30 July 1912 to 25 December 1926, coinciding with the reign of the Emperor Taishō. The new emperor was a sickly man, which prompted the shift in political power from the old oligarchic group of elder statesmen (or genrō) to the Imperial Diet of Japan and the democratic parties. The era is considered the time of the liberal movement known as the "Taishō democracy" in Japan; it is usually distinguished from the preceding chaotic Meiji period and the following militaristic-driven first part of the Shōwa period.

His family name is Ohara and he was variously known as Kosun Ohara, Ohara Kosun and Ohara Shosun. He was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist, painter and printmaker.

Throughout Asia, the crane is a symbol of happiness and eternal youth. In Japan, the crane is one of the mystical or holy creatures (others include the dragon and the tortoise) and symbolizes good fortune and longevity because of its fabled life span of a thousand years. The crane is a favourite subject of the tradition of origami, or paper folding. An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane.

2) THE GOLDFINCH by CAREL FABRITIUS- Fran Weden

I have always had a love/hate feeling about this painting.  Such a beautifully painted picture of such a beautiful little creature, but chained, presumably for human entertainment.  The very thought of it trying to fly away is upsetting to me although, presumably, it’s wings have been clipped.  Fabritius was obviously very talented, a pupil of Rembrandt, and who knows what he might have achieved had he not died young in the explosion of the Delft gunpowder magazine in 1654.

3) OLYMPIA by EDOUARD MANET- Fran Weden

There are, of course, many details in the painting which identify Olympia as a prostitute, but the aroused black cat is another clever touch by Manet.  Apparently, “chatte” (cat in French) is a slang word for female genitalia.  I love the way Manet is so deliberately provocative!

4)Horse at Water-Nic Fiddian Green-Dorothy Coombes

This sculpture is based at Nevill Holt, near Market Harborough. It is in the grounds of the estate of David Ross, who was the founder of Carphone Warehouse and is an arts supporter. He has built a beautiful opera house in the old stable block and has lots of impressive sculptures in his lovely gardens.

This massive horse’s head is positioned just outside the opera house in a wonderful position overlooking the Northamptonshire countryside. It is shown to great advantage there with nothing in the foreground to divert the eye, just rolling countryside and wide skies behind it.

The sculpture is called Horse at Water. It is monumental – about four metres tall - and is cast in bronze. The horse’s ears are cocked and his eyes are looking downwards. It has developed a greenish coating and has very beautiful lines. There is a simplicity and calmness about it.

Horse at Water was positioned temporarily at Marble Arch in 2001 but has since been replaced by a very similar, but taller (10 metres), version of a horse’s head which is called ‘Still Water’.

Nic Fiddian-Green is a British sculptor. He works from a studio in Surrey using horses in the local stables as life models. He is particularly renowned for his horse’s heads. Although he was inspired by the classical heads of horses in the Elgin Marbles, his pieces look very contemporary. He has produced many large- scale public sculptures, including ‘Praying Hands’ which was installed in Southwark Cathedral in 2019 to commemorate the London Bridge terror attack.

Dorothy Coombes