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National Museums Liverpool Blog - Edward Lear: Artist, Explorer and Poet

 Wednesday, June 06, 2012

Edward Lear: Artist, Explorer and Poet


Wednesday 06 June 12


Cartoon of man walkingCartoon by Edward Lear.

Edward Lear had a vast and varied career as an artist spanning six decades.  To mark 100 years since Lear's birth the Walker Art Gallery has developed a small display of five of Lear’s most stunning watercolours from his years spent travelling from 1837 to his death in 1888.  

Lear annotated his sketches with notes and descriptions, giving the works a highly personal quality. He deliberately misspelt words and played with repetition and senseless phrases, creating his own unique language.  Today he is best remembered for his nonsense poetry and caricatures, which demonstrate his offbeat humour and personality. 

Lucy Gardner, Assistant Curator of Fine Art, was so inspired when researching the display she took to writing her own nonsense poetry which sparked an idea for our latest competition!

See below for details and how to enter...


Competition

Are you a hiding a talent for nonsense poetry?  

Send us your own four line poem (with or without accompanying illustration) inspired by the works of Edward Lear to be in with a chance of winning the richly illustrated book, 'A Passion for Natural History'.

It explores the life of the 13th Earl of Derby (owner of nearby Knowsley Hall) and his relationship with Edward Lear. 

Send us your entry by Friday 21 September 2012, entries should be sent to: prizedraw@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk 

To get you started here's Lucy's poem: 

Liverpool once had a Mayor called Walker,
Who wanted an Art Gallery for her,
He said ‘I’ve got cash that I’m willing to splash,
So they called the building the Walker!


Posted by Lisa | 06/06/2012 14:53   | Comments [0]

Posted in: exhibitions | walker art gallery
Tagged with: art | competition | liverpool

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