Watts Gallery, Compton, 17 August 2018
Twenty one PAHS members enjoyed a trip in August to Limnerslease - the home of George and Mary Watts at Compton, Surrey. Our extremely knowledgable guide, Jane Turner, provided a wealth of information. An accomplished potter and craftsperson, Mary married symbolist painter G F Watts in 1886. Limnerslease, by Arts and Crafts architect Sir Ernest George, was completed in 1891.
The Watts escaped London each autumn and winter. It was designed as a comfortable house. The ceilings were low and decorated with jesso mouldings created by Mary and her team of craftswomen. There were interesting wooden doors and panels, some of which they had rescued from architectural salvage. A replica carpet was to Mary’s original design. The studio contained a mechanism for raising or lowering the height of Watts’ enormous paintings.
We also viewed Mary’s own studio and the wonderful Grade I listed Art Nouveau Cemetery Chapel.
Visit