House Portraits Dossier:
La Mortella,
Forio d'Ischia
The wonder of this house is in its sloping garden fashioned with characteristic determined whimsy under the inspiration of Sir William Walton and his wife. I had the honour of spending many days there during opera courses held by Lady Walton in the early 1990s. The whole lies on a steep slope and the house is at the far top corner as you enter at the lower corner, and a variety of paths lead you up & round & through. Behind the house there is a funicular that leads to a pool terrace that is at once secluded but which gives vast views out to sea.
The first three sketches were done on Ischia; the remaining sketch and two paintings were done from memory after the visit.
Three initial sketches done in situ, exploring the sweep and adventure of the main driveway path to the house.
The Gardens & the Yellow Parasol [This painting is in the collection of the late Henry Geldzahler.]
Felt pen sketch on an aeroplane napkin
The Gardens at Night
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