 | Many of Michael Leonard's paintings are of males in the act of dressing or undressing. The British artist will discuss his work at a master's tea at 4 p.m. on Jan. 25. |
New portraits deliberately made to look centuries old and studies of men struggling to dress or undress are among the works featured in "Michael Leonard: A Master of Ambiguity," the newest exhibition at the Jonathan Edwards College (JE) master's house, 70 High St.
The show, which will be on view Jan. 25-March 8, includes drawings, portraits and paintings by Leonard, a British artist who worked as a freelance illustrator in Britain until nearly age 40.
"At art school I had studied graphic design and illustration, subjects I thought more likely than fine art to provide me with a viable future," writes the artist in the catalogue accompanying the JE show. "Once in the world of work I was soon embarked on a life full of stimulation and challenge, becoming a stylistic chameleon and reveling in the great variety of work on offer in books, magazines and advertising. ... After a few years I became aware that a fundamental part of me was not being expressed, and I started painting at home in my spare time."
Leonard's early works included images of individuals engaged in activities ranging from sailing to kite-flying to construction work, and his portrait of Queen Elizabeth, commissioned by Reader's Digest in honor of her 60th birthday, now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery.
"Over the years I have focused more and more on painting nudes, most often male nudes ... usually in arrested motion dressing, undressing or drying themselves after bathing," writes Leonard. "Occupying an altogether different genre, my portrait drawings -- titled 'Drawn to the Past' -- transpose contemporary likenesses to an earlier age, portraying them in the manner of an artist of the day. Besides being entertainments, these art historical conceits enable me to throw a new and intriguing light on the character of a face and incidentally provide my sitters with some surprising ancestors."
Of his work, Leonard adds: "My pictures marry observed reality with abstract values and are often enriched with personal subtexts or echoes of the work of great artists I admire. They are above all celebrations, and I hope to continue making them for as long as I am able. For me there is no occupation more fulfilling."
A master's tea titled "A Conversation with Michael Leonard" will mark the opening of the JE exhibition at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25. A reception will follow.
The exhibition catalogue for the show includes essays by poet and critic Edward Lucie-Smith and painter Natalie Frank '02. The latter will take part in a master's tea at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 1.
Both events are free and open to the public.
"Michael Leonard: A Master of Ambiguity" is open for exhibition viewing most Thursdays or by appointment. For information, call (203) 432-0356.
T H I S
New exhibit at Jonathan Edwards College features portraits, drawings and paintings
by British artist
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