Benefactors, Patrons & Supporters e-magazine

inside

Compton

Verney

Behind the Scenes at Compton Verney

Spring 2013

Welcome to Inside Compton Verney Inside Compton Verney is a new e-magazine that we hope will give you more insight into Compton Verney’s experiences and accomplishments.

Produced two times a year, it will provide a behindthe-scenes glimpse into what it takes to keep this place so special for all visitors.

We were given a fantastic boost last year by being awarded an Arts Council Catalyst grant. This allows us to employ an additional member of staff, hold new events, launch a legacy programme and match any gifts made before 2015 in support of new arts activities. Major grants from DCMS/ Wolfson and The Clothworkers’ Foundation has also allowed us to redisplay the Marx-Lambert Collection.

We are also delighted to have been given a grant of £25,000 toward the Chapel restoration project by the J. Paul Getty Jnr. Charitable Trust and £2,000 from the West Midlands Museum Development grant for our new Forest School initiative.

As the Peter Moores Foundation, which has been so instrumental in establishing Compton Verney, is winding up in 2014, such support is crucial.

We are planning an exciting series of events for Benefactors, Patrons, Supporters and Members for 2013. These include another Open House, a music and wine evening, a trip to Vienna, Chiswick House and Gardens and The Royal Mint Collection in Wales, and tours of private collections. Please be sure to keep your membership up to date and consider upgrading so you don’t miss out.

Please do not hesitate to contact me, or my Development colleagues, Jess Brown and Rebecca Mundy, if we can be of assistance.

Thanks again for your support of Compton Verney Alice Gosling Head of Development

Contents

Note for Benefactors, Patrons and Supporters:

Page 2

Welcome to Inside Compton Verney

Page 3

News bites

Page 4

A National Treasure Revisited

Page 6

Sir Roy Strong named Artistic Patron

Generating income through hire is a major income stream for us. Unfortunately, we have had health and safety concerns expressed about parking in the forecourt during weddings.

Page 6

Leaving your mark

Page 7

A day in the life of Emily Medcraft, Front of House Manager

Page 8

Behind the scenes

Page 9

Volunteering at Compton Verney

Page 10

Diary of events

Page 11

Patrons’ trip to Madrid

Front cover: Re-hanging the Naples Collection

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Alice Gosling, Rebecca Mundy and Jessica Brown

If you are a Benefactor or Patron and have priority parking rights, please call Jess on 01926 645 547 when you come in, to check where you should park in such an eventuality.

All disabled badge holders should check with the ticket lodge for the best parking options for their visit.

News bites

Garden blog

Sell-out smashes

Love our ‘Capability’ Brown grounds? Then follow Gary Webb, our Head of Landscape and Gardens, on gardener-gary.blogspot.com. Keep an eye on our website as well to see new features such as a dedicated blog for the grounds in 2013.

We are all eagerly awaiting the 2016 tercentenary of ‘Capability’ Brown’s birth and look forward to Compton Verney playing a central role in its celebration.

Our first fundraising events for the Chapel restoration project were complete successes, raising over £25,800. Thanks to the efforts of Munchi Choksey and Christine Archer, pianist Rob Colley wowed the crowd with classical music and jazz pieces he had composed himself, on 14 September 2012.

From left to right: Christine Archer, Dominique Markham, Joanne Perry and Min Willoughby de Broke

Through the enthusiastic leadership of Dominique Markham, Min Willoughby de Broke, Christine Archer, Catherine Loudon and Joanne Perry, our first Gala dinner, concert and auction was also a huge success. With support from sponsors Quilter and George Pragnell, and generous donations of auction lots from the likes of Richard Fox Silversmith and Rangemaster Precision Arms, a fantastic night was held by all Private View sponsor and Corporate Member— Goldcrest’s Tim Pearson and his family

Adoption programme growing up Our Adopt a Tree programme has been a huge success with 52 trees adopted and £14,200 raised.

This summer we are planning to expand the programme to allow those who share our passion for art, or simply want to remember a loved one or special occasion, to adopt an artwork, bench or gallery. See What’s On or contact Jess Brown on 01926 645 547 for more information.

Art theft!

Well, not really, but we did enjoy seeing Compton Verney featured on the big screen with the premiere last year of Gambit, an old-fashioned comedy caper starring Colin Firth and Cameron Diaz partially set in the Naples galleries (with a chequerboard floor and new artwork) and the Adam Hall. While we can assure you that no lions were brought into the gallery, we can’t divulge whether Alan Rickman really did reveal all while here!

Country Garden Fair

First Director’s Circle member We are delighted to announce our first corporate Director’s Circle member. Founded in 1975, Martinspeed is a specialist art shipping company which offers services in the storage, installation and transport of fine art and luxury goods on any scale.

We now have 16 corporate members, and are delighted that Audley Binswood Hall and Goldcrest Cleaning have become the first corporate sponsors for an exhibition private view event. Such charitable support is essential, and we have a range of attractive benefits for those companies who choose to support us in this way.

In addition to the sumptuous Tapestry exhibition, we were delighted to kick off the 2012 holiday season with a hugely popular textile fair on 10 November. In 2013 we are planning a Country Garden Fair on 20 April.

Be sure to save the date as handmade soaps, woodcrafts, flowers, plants, antique garden tools, furniture and much more will be on sale. It promises to be a wonderful opportunity to find that something special—for yourself or a loved one.

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A National Treasure revisited; Compton Verney’s Chapel

In 2012 the Chapel was reopened for the first time in decades after emergency repairs were made to the roof and interior. As we celebrate our ability to share this beautiful building with visitors, Dr Steven Parissien tells us a bit more about its architectural significance.

The current, Grade I-listed Chapel at Compton Verney was built in 1776-80 by the celebrated landscape designer Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown for the 14th Lord Willoughby de Broke. Brown had demolished the medieval Chapel by the lake in 1772, but brought many of the monuments and possibly all of the glass to his new, double-cube building just to the north-west of the house.

The sandstone masonry for the new building (aside from the locally-sourced foundation courses of polite limestone) came from Gloucester, while the plaster decoration in the coffered ceiling was created by William Hiatt. The bellcote is not original and was probably added in c.1854 – the date inscribed on the bell itself.

Sunrise illuminating the 17th century tomb

The original window glass was assembled for Lord Willoughby de Broke by a dealer in the 1770s – possibly the same dealer used by the baron’s brother-in-law, Lord North, for a similar task at nearby Wroxton. The collection was famous, and comprised not just panels that Brown had removed from the old Chapel but also English heraldic glass from the fifteenth century onwards and six windows of excellent, early sixteenth-century German glass.

Sadly, in 1931 a later owner of the site, the 2nd Lord Manton, sold all of the window glass (aside from the spandrels) at auction at Christie’s. The Chancellor of the Diocese attempted to intervene to stop the sale, but concluded that Lord Manton was within his legal rights. Future plans for the windows include restoring the spandrels and inserting

historically-appropriate plain glass in the window below. Any borrowed or recovered original glass, or any other historic or contemporary glass panels, will be hung in front of these plain windows.

The tall, wooden pulpit was, in the Country Life photographs of 1913, shown located in the middle of the south range of pews. Presumably this was to facilitate the holding of services on a north-south axis, since the large double tomb partly obscures the west end.

However, the architect of the recent Chapel repairs, John Goom, found The bellcote awaiting repair structural evidence confirming that the pulpit was – unsurprisingly – originally located at the east end of this range, and it has now been returned to its proper site.

The Chapel interior is dominated by the tomb of Richard and Margaret Verney, of c.1631, by the celebrated sculptor-architect Nicholas Stone. Brown deliberately put this feature centre-stage, and in many ways appears to have built the Chapel round it. Part of the reason for this may not just be the

tomb’s virtuoso carving but also the reputation of its creator – who was, in 1776, a far more famous artistic figure than he is today.

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Compton Verney’s Grade I-listed Chapel of 1776-80 is one of the very few buildings designed by Brown that was meant for use as more than just an eye catcher.

Nicholas Stone was born in 1587 in Devon, and after 1613 worked for the Office of the King’s Works. His most outstanding works include monuments to John Donne in St Paul’s Cathedral of 1631; Francis Holles (1622) and Sir George Villiers (1631) at Westminster Abbey; Elizabeth, Lady Carey at Stowe Nine Churches, Weedon, Northants; William Peyto and his wife at St Giles, Chesterton of 1639; Orlando Gibbons at Canterbury Cathedral, 1626; and Sir Thomas Bodley at Merton College, Oxford, 1615.

Stone could also turn his hand to architecture – although in this context he was invariably eclipsed by his contemporary and friend, Inigo Jones – and designed not only York House Water Gate, London (in 1626, for the Duke of Buckingham), three gates for the University Botanical Gardens in Oxford in 1632, Lindsey The crypt under the Chapel terrace House in Lincoln’s Inn Fields in 1640 (for his friend Sir David Cunningham, for whom Stone had already designed a simple monument to Sir Thos Puckering at St Mary’s, Warwick), but also the bizarrely Italianate Baroque porch to St Mary’s Church, Oxford of 1637.

The memorial floor slabs and the two large wall monuments (whose authors remain tantalisingly unknown) were all brought by Brown from the old Chapel. Interestingly, Brown laid the slabs facing west, rather than east.

The Chapel has not been in use since 1988, a time when the site’s former owner made a number of unauthorised alterations to the interior, including the removal of the pews and pulpit. This prompted Stratford District Council to serve an Enforcement Order demanding the reinstallation of this historic woodwork. Although, during the restoration of the house and grounds in the late 1990s, the Chapel

The front window protected by Perspex

was structurally secured and repaired by Rodney Melville and Partners, this work did not include any reinstatement of original features.

Grant aid obtained in 2011 enabled us to repair the Chapel in order to reopen one of the nation’s most important Georgian Chapels for public viewing – and to comply with the Enforcement Order. The reborn Chapel not only allows us to enhance

and improve public appreciation of the highly significant ‘Capability’ Brown landscape at Compton Verney by restoring one of its essential elements, but to attract a new audience to this unique, valuable historic site.

We are in the process of applying for charitable support to continue with the Chapel’s restoration and that of the rest of our nationally important landscape. If you’d like to know more, please contact the Development Office on 01926 645 547.

Dr Steven Parissien Director The barrel vaults supporting the outer walls

Sir Roy Strong named first Artistic Patron We are delighted to announce that Sir Roy Strong has kindly agreed to become Compton Verney's first Artistic Patron.

Sir Roy will be joining us for an annual event at which he will meet with current and potential Benefactors, Patrons and Supporters as well as others who want to support our work.

Sir Roy Strong FRSL is an art historian, museum curator, writer, broadcaster and landscape designer. Having created the Laskett Gardens, the largest private formal gardens to be created in England since 1945, and been director of the National Portrait Gallery and Victoria and Albert Museum, he is uniquely suited to share his knowledge with us and act as an ambassador for Compton Verney.

Leaving your mark Can you spare a moment to think about how you would like to be remembered?

According to a recent survey, only three in ten people in the UK have made a Will. The money they have left behind may therefore go straight to the Treasury.

whether or not you already have a Will. However large or small a legacy gift might be, they are all vital in allowing us to continue reaching and inspiring people through great art. This includes maintaining our exceptional collections, exhibitions and learning programmes, as well as caring for our Grade I-listed buildings and ‘Capability’ Brown landscape.

A small act of generosity can go a long way, allowing us to bring art to life A small act of generosity can go a long for thousands of visitors, and way, allowing us to bring art to life for ensure that Compton Verney continues to inspire lovers or art, thousands of visitors, and ensure that landscape and architecture, as Compton Verney continues to inspire well as enrich the lives of school lovers or art, landscape and children.

The choices we make in our Will allow us to make the active decision of how we wish to be remembered, and to support the organisations architecture, as well as enrich lives the we love to continue their lives of school children.

As someone who is passionate vital work. At Compton about Compton Verney and the Verney we receive no work we do, leaving a gift in your regular government funding, and so donations in Will will allow us to ensure future generations enjoy the form of legacies are essential in allowing us to Compton Verney as you have done. continue to fulfil our aim of sharing our passion for art with as many people as possible.

For more information, or to discuss how your legacy might be used to support a specific This is why we have set up our new Legacy programme or leave a lasting memorial, please programme, which makes it easier than ever to contact Rebecca Mundy on 01926 645 562. become a part of the future of Compton Verney 6

A Day in the life of…

Emily Medcraft, Front of House Manager

Emily Medcraft

The role of Front of House Manager is quite varied. Every day is a different challenge and I have to think on my feet quite a lot.

Why is this? Well the three areas I look after - staff, volunteers and group bookings – all revolve around people. Whether it’s a staff member phoning in sick, a group turning up early/late or unannounced or a really enthusiastic potential volunteer on the phone - each situation is different and requires a different approach. And let’s face it; even the most reliable of us can have unpredictable days.

Each group booker has to be treated as an individual – some are very switched on and know what they want. With them it’s just a case of getting the information, sending them the correct paperwork and welcoming them when they arrive. Others need a little more assistance and, although this can be time consuming, it’s quite satisfying to help them through the process and to see them come through the door confident that they arranged everything to their group’s satisfaction.

In terms of staffing, all gallery staff work to a twoweek rolling rota which is set at the beginning of the season. It’s my job to ensure that we have enough staff to open the galleries each day and that the spaces are staffed to meet the requirements of insurers, the lenders, the public

programme and expected visitor numbers.

Basically, if we don’t have enough staff, we can’t open. So if someone books holiday or calls in sick, I have to find cover. We’ve never had a situation where we haven’t been able to open or have to close a gallery because we’re short staffed – mind you, I have found that bribery and begging can be quite useful to get people to work when we’re really stuck!

Volunteers have become a real asset to the organisation. We currently have 30 people who volunteer with us one day each per week. They help all departments and I’m responsible for recruiting, training and placing volunteers in the right role for them and Compton Verney. Although they are then managed by their respective departments, I’m still responsible for all the administration – expenses, time logs and reviews.

And whereas staff are generally recruited at the start of each season, recruitment for volunteers continues throughout the year, with induction training taking place three or four times a year. It’s a rolling process and it’s rewarding to see fresh, enthusiastic individuals joining throughout the year.

But I don’t just sit at my desk all day dealing with paperwork. I’m out and about around the gallery – working weekends as the Duty Manager or helping to cover out of hour’s events such as weddings. I even drive the shuttle sometimes. My favourite thinking on my feet situation was rescuing an elderly couple who had visited as part of a group and the coach had left without them. They were from Glamorgan, slight panic as that’s quite a long way to drive someone, but then they remembered that they were staying in Stratford...just a short journey away in the Compton Verney Shuttle. They were a lovely couple and I even got them back to their hotel before the coach. As I said every day is a different challenge – it would be dull otherwise wouldn’t it?

Emily Medcraft Some of Emily’s staff and volunteers

Behind the scenes at Compton Verney during the closed season What exactly do we get up to when we’re closed? Here are just a few examples:

Marx-Lambert re-display Underwritten by DCMS/Wolfson Fund and The Clothworkers’ Foundation, we have made more use of the wallpapers and fabrics designed by Enid Marx and provided integrated family activities. Such major work can only be done when the galleries are empty.

Emergency works to the Adam Hall floor The colours used in the Adam Hall floor are very rare as Robert Adam tended to use black and white in entrance halls. Like the Chapel, parts of the floor are underpinned by barrel vaults to provide stability. The floor still needs approximately £60,000 more in restoration, when charitable funding allows.

Preparing for the exhibition It takes two to three weeks to install each exhibition with art work arriving in purpose built crates, often accompanied by a courier from the lending institution. Before being hung on the walls, each art work has its condition assessed.

During the closed season, preparing the galleries is easier as a temporary workshop can be set up on the first floor landing, a busy public area when we are open.

Volunteering at Compton Verney Walking down the driveway to Compton Verney for my interview as a volunteer I was filled with apprehension of how this little Welsh lady would fit in to such an English scene!! I need not have worried – everyone was so warm and friendly and I felt valued from day one. We volunteers are considered equally as members of the Compton Verney team. Although we are not remunerated, we do have perks – e.g free entry for our guests, staff discount in the shop/restaurant and travelling expenses.

has been fascinating – from the conception of an exhibition to seeing the paintings on the walls, how funds are raised to keep us going and the joy my granddaughters experience every time they visit.

My role has been varied and wide ranging, beginning with a stint as a gallery assistant.

To be involved as a volunteer with such a prodigious organisation as Compton Verney is a real honour and a pleasure. I have thoroughly

Subsequently I have helped out in the HR

enjoyed every minute of my last four years

department, taken minutes at meetings, provided administrative support to the Development Department, helped out at events such as Private

supporting the work of the staff and helping to

Views and made the tea! Witnessing how a gallery like Compton Verney is run on a day to day basis

improve the visitors’ experience. If you would like to volunteer, just call 01926 645 500.

Sue Jones,Volunteer (pictured above) 9

2013 diary of events for Members, Supporters, Patrons and Benefactors Friday 22 March: Private view of our Spring exhibition Bellini, Botticelli, Titian...500 Years of Italian Art, and our all season exhibition Outside In: Central as well as the gallery re-display of our Marx-Lambert collection.

(Benefactors, Patrons and Supporters)

Friday 19 July: Wine Tasting and Piano Recital featuring Dr Marios Papadopoulos, Music Director of Oxford Philomusica, and Seven Springs wines.

Anyone who would like to support the evening is welcome. Please call Jess Brown on 01926 645 547 for tickets.

Thursday 12 September: Open House event at Compton Verney to give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what it takes to keep Compton Verney so special and what we hope to do in the future.

(Benefactors, Patrons, Supporters and Members)

Titian, Head of a Man c. 1508-10 ©CSG CIC Glasgow Museums Collection

Thursday 18 April: Benefactors’ and Patrons’

Thursday 26— Sunday

dinner held at Compton Verney. (Benefactors and

29 September: Overseas

Patrons only)

visit to Vienna to include, amongst other activities: visits to the Secession building (a veritable temple to modern art – inside is Klimt’s Beethoven

Friday 10 May: Exclusive trip to Chiswick House and Gardens in London, which is one of the finest examples of neo-Palladian design in England. Here we will enjoy an out-of-hours tour by Treve Rosoman, English Heritage’s expert on historic interiors. (Benefactors, Patrons and Supporters)

Thursday 13 June: Exclusive tours of The Royal Mint Collection and The National Museum and Gallery in Wales. (Benefactors and Patrons only)

Thursday 11 July: Private view of our Summer exhibitions Turner and Constable: sketching from nature works from the Tate

John Constable, Brightwell Church and Village, oil on wood, 1815 © Tate, London 2012

collection and Re-viewing the Landscape: A

contemporary response. The exhibitions will be open to the public on 13 July. (Benefactors, Patrons and Supporters)

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Kunsthistorischesmuseum

Frieze), the Kunsthistorischesmuseum (Museum of Fine Arts) and private views of the Liechtenstein Museum and the Domschatz (Treasury). The trip includes pre-booked meals, four star hotel accommodation, entry fees and the services of a tour guide. (Benefactors and Patrons only)

Friday 4 October: Private view of our Autumn exhibition Curious Beasts: Animal Prints from the British Museum. The exhibition opens to the public on 5 October 2013. (Benefactors, Patrons and Supporters)

Saturday 12 October: Following the success of last year’s Fundraising concert, dinner and auction, we will be holding another gala dinner on Saturday 12 October. Anyone who would like to support the evening is welcome and corporate or private sponsorship would be appreciated. Further details to be confirmed in due course.

Please note that there may be additional events throughout the year that are not mentioned above. Further details will be confirmed in due course.

Patrons visit Madrid

Belinda McMicking, Munchi and Ursha Choksey and Peter GregoryHood in Madrid

Madrid was the 2012 destination for our Patrons’ trip and it was a huge success.

One of the benefits of being a Patron or Benefactor is that you are invited to join an international tour each year. In 2012, 14 of us journeyed to Madrid where we were looked after by our delightful and inspirational guide Maurizio.

Maurizio led us through the annals of art history as seen in The Prado and Thyssen museums with authority, knowledge and humour. His anecdotes kept our interest from flagging when we were looking at the 50th El Greco, or 25th Goya of the day. We all came away with our knowledge of 15th, 16th and 17th century Spanish art expanded by 100%, at least!

Our trips are such fun, there is tremendous camaraderie, whether watching the bull fight, looking at Baroque art and architecture or sitting eating yet another delicious lunch or dinner, with excellent food and copious amounts of strong red wine. We were all very sad when our 4 days in one of the most exciting capitals in Europe, with fabulous weather, came to an end.

Everyone is queuing up to be on next year’s trip to Vienna. Do consider becoming a Patron or Benefactor and joining us.

Lady Willoughby de Broke Chairman of Compton Verney Patrons

Thinking of upgrading your membership?

Please take a moment to consider upgrading your membership at Compton Verney. Your support is crucial to enable us to share our passion for art with as many people as possible.

There are several quick and easy ways to upgrade your membership: By phone: call Jess Brown, Development Graduate Trainee, on 01926 645 547 within office hours and she can take your debit/credit card details.

By post: complete the form in the ‘Join us’ leaflet and return it with a cheque to Compton Verney, FREEPOST NAT9520, Warwick CV35 9BR. ‘Join Us’ leaflets can be downloaded from our website.

By annual or quarterly Direct Debit: complete an A4 form and return it to the FREEPOST address listed above. Direct Debit forms can be downloaded from our website.

Online: visit www.comptonverney.org.uk and click on ‘Support us’, then ‘Supporters and Patrons’ and follow the link to join online.

Or come visit and upgrade in the ticket lodge!

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Thank you for your support Thank you to all our Benefactors, Patrons, Supporters and Corporate Members for your continued support. Your membership makes a huge difference to us and contributes towards all aspects of Compton Verney, from our exhibitions and collections to our grounds and educational work.

Benefactors

Lady Goodhart Kirsten Suenson-Taylor

Dr Catherine MS Alexander

Patrons David & Jill Pittaway David & Sandra Burbidge Mr and Mrs Roger Keverne Peter Gregory-Hood Roger Cadbury Lord & Lady Willoughby de Broke Mrs Susan Bridgewater Pam Barnes Dr & Mrs Munchi Choksey David & Catherine Loudon Sarah Stoten Mrs Joanne E Perry Mr & Mrs Ludovic de Walden

William & Jane Pusey Paul Cooney Mrs Christine Archer PE Shirley Margaret Fraser Mrs Michael Markham Jacqui Beecroft Sir Martin & Lady Jacomb Victoria Peers Brook Family Nicholas & Marie-France Burton Professor Robert Bluglass CBE & Dr Kerry Bluglass

Supporters Mr & Mrs Peter KenworthyBrowne Clive Barnes Lady Butler Mr Peter Boycott Graham Greene CBE Jenny Grimstone Sarah Holman David Howells Howard & Melanie Jackson Bob & Sandy Marchant N Meades Dr James Mooney

Mrs Penny Perriss Andrew & Julia Pick Michael Robarts Bill Slora Christopher Trye Sir Robert Wade-Gery Benjamin Wiggin Wyn Grant

The Four Pillar Funds When you purchase a membership at any level and/or make a donation, you are welcome to specify an area of your own interest towards which your membership/ donation will contribute. The Funds, and the kinds of things they supported in 2012, are: The Exhibition Fund for our exhibitions and collections helped to install wi-fi in the cafĂŠ and ground floor galleries.

The Adam Fund for our built heritage has contributed to the repair of the Adam Hall floor and plasterwork.

The Inspire Fund for art education has supported the development of a new outreach programme for schools.

The Capability Fund for our historic landscape has supported the lake maintenance and bulb planting.

For further information, or if you would like to support The Four Pillars of Compton Verney, please call Jess Brown on 01926 645 547.

And 38 others who wish to remain anonymous, or have not yet specified how they would like to be listed.

Corporate Members Martinspeed Ltd Aquarelle Publishing Blackwall Green Fred Winter Ltd Goldcrest Cleaning Lightmedia Communications Ltd Mitchell Gallery

Renaissance Creative Travel Club Elite Wright Hassall George Pragnell Quilter Perry Well Computer Systems Ltd Larch Consulting Audley Binswood Hall

Other ways you can help Consider leaving us a legacy, organising an event or naming a tree, artwork or room for yourself or a loved one! Call 01926 645 547 or visit the website for more information.