Peter de Francia: 'The Ship of Fools' at Pallant House

Written by Darren Waldrep Thursday, 10 November 2011 21:40

 

Chichester, West Sussex, UK - Peter de Francia (b. 1921) is one of the most politically engaged British figurative painters of the post-war period. His work, based on sensitive draughtsmanship and subtle line, encompasses social commentary and political allegory. At Pallant House Gallery 13 October to 13 January, 2008.

This small in focus exhibition, drawn predominantly from the Gallery’s own holdings, includes de Francia’s Goya-inspired charcoal series entitled ‘The Disparates’. The monumental triptych ‘A Diary of Our Times’ (1974) also features in this timely exhibition, and is a series which has particular contemporary relevance through its treatment of issues such as political torture and modern media coverage of war.

 De Francia’s highly distinctive art has its roots in a European tradition that includes Fernand Léger, Max Beckmann, Pablo Picasso and Renato Guttuso.

Born in France to a Franco-Italian father and an English mother, de Francia attended l’Académie Royal des Beaux Arts in Brussels and the Slade School. From 1973 to 1986 he was Professor of Painting at the Royal College of Art.

 History of Pallant House Gallery

Walter Hussey, the Dean of Chichester Cathedral, left his personal collection to the city in 1977 with the condition that the collection be shown in Pallant House, a Grade 1 listed Queen Anne town house dating from 1712. Since 1919, the house had been used as Council offices and from 1979 a restoration programme began and preparations were made for it to open in 1982 as a unique combination of historic house and modern art gallery.

In 1985 an independent trust, consisting of the Friends and representatives of the Council, was formed to manage the Gallery. Since then the collections and the Gallery's activities have expanded to the extent that it was decided a new building was needed in order for it to survive. The Gallery reopened Summer 2006 with a new wing and vastly improved facilities.

Visit Pallant House Gallery at: www.pallant.org.uk

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