barreau le maistre art gallery

During 2008 the gallery will host a very special exhibition – Romantics in the Channel Islands.  This exhibition showcases artists who were inspired by the Channel Islands, including, John Le Capelain, Peter Le Lievre and Sarah Louisa Kilpack.  Exploring Romanticism in other forms, the exhibition will also include work from one of the Channel Islands’ most famous exiles, Victor Hugo.

When a major art exhibition is not taking place the gallery noramally displays the highlights of the art collection. Almost all of the works are by local artists or crafts people or depict Jersey subjects. All Jersey's noted painters including Philip Ouless, John Le Capelain, Sir John Everett Millais and Edmund Blampied are represented. Their works and those of more contemporary artists provide a valuable insight into the history of Jersey over the last 500 years.

The display is divided into themed subject areas such as portraiture, landscape painting, sculpture and Jersey silver.

Look out for the Sir John Everett Millais portrait of Lillie Lantry which caused such a stir at its unveiling at the Royal Academy in London that it had to be roped off from the crowds that had gathered to see it. Edmund Blampied's delightful drawings, paintings and etchings encapsulate a way of life which vanished with the advent of modern machinery while Philip Ouless and John Le Capelain have perhaps been the best ambassadors for the beauty of Jersey's coastline.

On the landing outside the Barreau Le Maistre gallery is a painting of St Aubin's Bay by PJ Ouless. One of the details in the painting is a paddlesteamer called the Ariadne whose major shareholder was Philippe Nicolle who lived in the Merchant's House, next door in No 9 Pier Road which can be reached through the fine mahogany door at the top of the stairs.