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Altarpiece : The Artists
Return to Altarpiece description George Frampton and Robert Anning Bell ( designers of the altarpiece at St Clare's). The triptych would have been conceived as an essential part of the interior of the church. It is the work of George Frampton(1860-1928) and Robert Anning Bell(1863-1933). Bell taught painting and drawing at University College, Liverpool. Frampton created many sculptures in Liverpool . His best known local example is the statue of Peter Pan, A copy of the statue is located in Sefton Park, Liverpool This was unveiled in 1929. They worked together on several commissions for both ecclesiastical and secular building, although the triptych at St Clare's is regarded as one of the most outstanding.
The middle angel panel is jointly signed - R.A.Bell 1890 Geo Frampton -. The exact division of labour is now uncertain though the panel of two angels holding censers with a shield bearing the sacred monogram under the Trinity is by Robert Anning Bell. In an article in the Art Journal of 1897 George Frampton is described as an all round craftsman and prefers to be known as an art worker, and not by the more restricted title of sculptor. Frampton always emphasised the importance of being able to work in many media.George Frampton 1860-1928. His style was formed by the innovations of Gilbert, the mystical paintings of Edward Burne Jones, Italian Renaissance sculpture and contemporary French sculpture. At the time of his first work on Merseyside at the age of 29, the altarpiece for St Clares Church he is still absorbing these influences. Bell belonged to the group of artist–craftsmen who brought about the last flowering of the Pre-Raphaelite movement. He painted in oil and watercolour and was among the pioneers of the revival of the use of tempera. He is best known for a series of bas reliefs in coloured plaster. He worked as an illustrator and also undertook projects in stained glass and mosaic, a medium he used to great effect in three public commissions in London: the Horniman Museum (a mosaic - Humanity in the House of Circumstance) ,Westminster Cathedral and St Stephen’s Hall. Note another local example of his work : stained glass windows in Grenfell's chapel at Mostyn House School, Parkgate. He also created some sculpture work, most notably a long series of coloured plaster reliefs, an idea developed in collaboration with Frampton. The two men had many ideals in common. Both were members of the Arts and Crafts Society and both were to be masters of the Art Workers Guild. Liverpool is fortunate in having an outstanding example of their joint work in the altarpiece at the church of St Clare in Arundel Avenue, where Frampton may also have carved the St Clare and St Francis statues for the south and west porches. George Frampton and his work: images
1.George Frampton 2.The Peter Pan statue-copy in Sefton Park,Liverpool by George Frampton. 3. Mother and Child 4. Mysteriarch Angel, Robert Anning Bell and his work : images
1. Nebuchadnezzar window, Mostyn School, Parkgate .2.Mosaic at the Horniman Museum, London by Robert Anning Bell. 3.Fragrant Posy by Robert Anning Bell. 4. Milkmaids Returning by Robert Anning Bell ( Thanks are given to Graham Fisher and Nick Roe of the Liverpool Group : Victorian Society for information relating to the work of Robert Anning Bell ) |
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