For more than half a century, Alan Bowness was a leading public figure in the art world in Britain, predominantly as writer, lecturer, curator, administrator and philanthropist. He was the first trained art historian to become Director of the Tate Gallery, in London, where he made an invaluable and lasting contribution in the relatively short time that he held the post.
Bowness was born in London in 1928, educated at University College School, London, following which he did his National Service in the Friends’ Ambulance Unit. In 1950 he went up to Downing College, Cambridge, to read modern languages. From 1953 to 1955 he studied French painting under Anthony Blunt at the Courtauld Institute of Art. In 1957 he joined its staff, teaching 19th and 20th-century art. He became, successively, Reader, Professor and, finally, Deputy Director. In his 23 years at the Courtauld he taught a generation of students, many of whom later distinguished themselves in university or museum
The secret story behind Cambridgeâs bronze flower trail you walked past and probably never spotted
Youâll never look past the Cambridge Core in the same way
The historic flower trail has a fascinating end point, commemorating a huge archaeological find
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Inspired by the Carey Mulligan Netflix movie The Dig? Then discover treasures found all over Britain
Who hasn’t been inspired by Netflix hit The Dig, which dramatises the discoveries at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk?
A helmet from 1,400 years ago found at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk is on show at the British Museum, London
Anglo-Saxon jewellery, discovered in Leeds in 2008 and 2009, is now on display at Leeds City Museum
The Great British art tour: the master of the naturally beautiful look
With public art collections closed we are bringing the art to you, exploring highlights from across the country in partnership with Art UK. Today’s pick: Cambridge’s Stoneware Vase of Flowers by Jan Brueghel the Elder
Detail from A Stoneware Vase of Flowers, by Jan Brueghel the Elder, c.1607-08. Photograph: Andrew Norman/The Fitzwilliam Museum, Image Library
Detail from A Stoneware Vase of Flowers, by Jan Brueghel the Elder, c.1607-08. Photograph: Andrew Norman/The Fitzwilliam Museum, Image Library
HenriettaWard,assistantkeeper,paintings,drawingsandprints,FitzwilliamMuseum
Fri 19 Feb 2021 01.00 EST
Last year Jane Moore attended an online creative photography course. I invited her to share the beautiful body of work that came out of it and explain the inspiration behind it.
I have always had an interest in photography. In recent years, after personal loss, this has become an obsession, inspiring in me a positive way of life.
I read “
In Praise of Shadows” by Junichiro Tanizaki an essay that illustrates the aesthetics of Japanese culture; a subject that conveys Tanizaki’s passion and interest in traditions and values.
Comparison is made between Western and Eastern culture and practices and how beauty is perceived. The term “shadows” is used literally and metaphorically.