Alistair Erskine - Royal Tour Exhibition

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Alistair Erskine A Royal Tour accompanying

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales

requests the pleasure of your company at a private view of recent work by

Alistair Erskine – Royal Tour Artist An exhibition of works from a Royal tour accompanying Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall’s Visit to Portugal, Spain and Morocco in Spring 2011

Private View

On Tuesday, 28th February 2012, 6 – 9pm At James Harvey British Art, 15 Langton Street, Chelsea SW10 0JL

Exhibition

29th February to 9th March 2012 Opening hours: 10am – 4pm Monday to Friday For Further information contact flora@jhba.co.uk 020 7352 0015 Works from the exhibition are available for purchase from receipt of this brochure.

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Alistair Erskine Tour Artist

Monday 28th March to Wednesday 6th April 2011 My brief was to accompany the tour and, as the itinerary would determine, produce pictures of what I saw as I travelled with the royal party. It was expected that I would produce impressions of places visited rather than events.

It was perhaps, no definitely the most action packed ten days of my life, on and off the plane, motorcade travel (which I can recommend for a productive day) and checking in and out of rather smart accommodation. I had to keep up with the very fast moving schedule across the three countries, attending official engagements in a suit before sneaking off for a couple of hours to make a painting and then rejoin the party without getting left behind.

I am an en plein air painter and usually like to produce rapid oil sketches painted directly from the motif. I used a folding artist’s easel which I carried in a small wheeled travelling case (in which I put my suit jacket exchanged for a windcheater when working). I painted on prepared board which I stored in a purpose made slotted case.

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The Cloister of the Jerónimos Monastery, Lisbon Oil on Board, 10 x 8 inches Signed and dated ‘11 MONDAY 28TH MARCH 2011 We flew to Lisbon on the first day when I painted The Cloister of the Jerónimos Monastery with its intricate tracery and glowing sandstone. Attended Banquet at the Queluz National Palace which included a performance by the Fado singer Ana Moura which I was able to sketch from my table.

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Evora, Portugal Oil on Board, 10 x 14 inches Signed and dated ‘11

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View over Lisbon Bay Oil on Board, 10 x 14 inches Signed and dated ‘11 TUESDAY 29TH MAR I travelled in advance to the small town of Evora about an hour inland and painted a picture of the traditional square. The Prince of Wales was keen to visit the town which has introduced new energy saving technology for domestic use. I then returned to Lisbon and painted View over Lisbon Bay from my hotel room balcony.

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Fado singer, Anna Moura, at the Queluz Palace, Lisbon, Royal Tour 2011 Oil on Board, 11 x 14 inches Signed and dated ‘11

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Plaza Mayor with Iberdroler Sustainable Living Bus Oil on Board, 10 x 9 inches Signed and dated ‘11

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Monument to Alfonso XII, Retiro Park, Madrid Oil on Board, 14 x 12 inches Signed and dated ‘11 THURSDAY 31ST MARCH Official engagements did not lend themselves to painterly coverage so went to Retiro Park which I remembered from 15 years previous. Painted the Monument to Alfonso XII, Retiro Park, Madrid against a vivid blue sky. There is something unique about the sky in Madrid which just seems to be bluer than anywhere else - I think it is to do with the elevated plain in which Madrid is situated.

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Spring Light in Retiro Park, Madrid Oil on Board, 8 x 10 inches Signed and dated ‘11 THURSDAY 31ST MARCH Retiro Park has been considerably restored since I went there last and was bursting with the energy of Spring.

Had a light lunch to the lazy melody of a saxophone from the other side of the ballustraded boating lake. Painted Spring Light in Retiro Park in the afternoon. Perfect!

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Plaza Mayor, Madrid Pencil, 5 x 8 inches Signed and dated ‘11

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At the Flamenco Museum, Seville, Royal Tour 2011 Oil on Board, 11 x 14 inches Signed and dated ‘11

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Evening Light, Plaza Mayor, Madrid Oil on Canvas, 12 x 14 inches Signed and dated ‘11

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A Courtyard Garden, Alhambra Oil on Canvas, 12 x 10 inches Signed and dated ‘11

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The Genaralife, Alhambra Oil on Canvas, 12 x 16 inches Signed and dated ‘11

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Alistair Erskine Alhambra View Pencil, 5 x 6 inches Signed and dated ‘11

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The Generalife, Alhambra, Granada Pencil, 5 x 6 inches, Unframed Signed and dated ‘11

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Gardens of the Alcázar of Seville Oil on Board, 8 x 10 inches Signed and dated ‘11

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In the Gardens of the Royal Alcazar, Seville, Royal Tour 2011 Oil on Board, 12 x 10 inches Signed and dated ‘11

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Granada Landscape Oil on Board, 8 x 10 inches Signed and dated ‘11

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Hills near Illora, Granada Oil on Board, 12 x 16 inches Signed and dated ‘11

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Towards the Sierra Nevada, Granada Oil on Board, 10 x 14 inches Signed and dated ‘11 SATURDAY 2ND AND SUNDAY 3RD APRIL Main Royal Party stayed at private estate in Granada, others including myself in local accommodation.

Painted Towards the Sierra Nevada and Granada Landscape on the estate and visited the breathtaking Alhambra (again spring splendour but amazing in any season apparently) where sketched and watercolour painting (memorable lunch on the terrace looking towards the Generalife with the team stood down).

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Rainy Day, Granada Pencil, 8 x 5 inches, Unframed Signed and dated ‘11

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Hills near Ilora, Granada Pencil, 5 x 8 inches, Unframed Signed and dated ‘11

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Alistair Erskine Granada Landscape Pencil, 8 x 5 inches Signed and dated ‘11

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The Oudayas of Kasbah Oil on Board, 10 x 8 inches Signed and dated ‘11 MONDAY 4TH APRIL Fly to Rabat. Painted the Kasbah of Oudayas famous for its blue and white winding streets and covered markets.

Visited by TRH.

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The Ruins of Chellah, Rabat Oil on Board, 10 x 14 inches Signed and dated ‘11 TUESDAY 5TH APRIL Day to myself so went to the Ruins of Chellah with its Medieval Walls, extensive Roman remains, Koranic School and commanding position over the flood plain. If you have ever wondered what it must have been like as a grand tourist in the C19th well this is a near as it gets. It is looked after but only just - you can wander about without being told to keep off or what to think - storks of Jurassic Park scale nest on every turret and pedestal and the park keepers seem to live there! Did two paintings - TRH walk through.

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Looking over the Qarawiyyin Mosque, Fez Watercolour, 8¼ x 11½ inches Signed and dated ‘11

FRIDAY 1ST APRIL 2010 Travelled to Seville by train in advance.

Great train ride across the central plains. Olive groves and raking sunlight, Cervantes and Laurie Lee. Painted Gardens of the Alcázar of Seville a.m. with TRH walk through. (Following confrontation with security staff for access worried about my box of paints – rescued by immaculately mannered embassy official offering every assistance to beleaguered British Passport holder (with official tour artist badge) Rule Britannia!) Fabulous historic gardens of Moorish influence – probably the very best time of year to see them. Sketched at the Flamenco Museum performance

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Musee Batha, Fez Oil on Board, 12 x 16 inches Signed and dated ‘11 WEDNESDAY 6TH APRIL Advance to Fez by car a.m. Paint water-colour from roof top overlooking the roof of The University of AlKaraouine. Supplied with cups of black tea by proprietor shop on whose roof stood. Felt obliged to buy rug (which I do not regret!) Walk to the Musee Batha to watch performance of Sufi poetry and music under the famous cedar tree in the courtyard. Attended by TRH. Sketch and fly home!

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Sufi Performance, Museee Batha, Fez Pencil, 5 x 8 inches Signed and dated ‘11

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Musee Batha, Fez Pencil, 5 x 8 inches, Unframed Signed and dated ‘11