The first permanent exhibition of J L Petit's works opens at Lichfield Cathedral!

The first ever permanent exhibition of the work of John Louis Petit (1801-68) - ‘the greatest discovery in British Art for a generation’ (Andrew Graham-Dixon) will open on July 14th in Lichfield Cathedral Close, together with a talk in the Guildhall at 2.15pm.

At the same time there will be a launch of the Lichfield Series, ten of Petit’s finest work showing Lichfield Cathedral in a set of limited edition prints - “surely the most remarkable series of images of any British cathedral by an individual artist” (Dr Robin Simon, Editor of the British Art Journal).

Dr Simon went on to say “. In their way, they deserve to be every bit as celebrated as the more famous series of Rouen Cathedral painted in varying light by Claude Monet in 18923–3 – and they have more than a little of the same atmospheric magic. Indeed, Petit’s views are more varied and adventurous…”

The exhibition and launch of the Series is a big step in Petit’s recovery as a uniquely progressive artist of the mid 19th Century. The exhibition will include other Petit pictures of Staffordshire; and pictures showing his remarkably modern approach from further afield.

The Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Ian Dudson, who will attending the talk and open the exhibition, commented “I see Petit as one of the most significant artists of the County. Recognition in Lichfield may be just the start of his contribution to our cultural life”.

Petit painted throughout Staffordshire in the early part of his career and pictures in the exhibition will include the Gatehouse at Tixall, Stafford’s Broadeye Windmill and the most remarkable picture of Ilam Rock in Dovedale, bringing out the spiritual aspect of this remarkable natural structure.

The Bishop of Lichfield Dr Michael Ipgrave also opening the talk and exhibition has written: “These pictures … reveal Petit as an artist who knew both how to see and how to help us to see. They invite us into a vision that goes beyond a factual statement to show the majesty, the power, the solemnity, and the mystery of divine creation and human construction”.

Among the other group of pictures are ones such as the vast new Mayfield Works near Bilston in Wolverhampton from the 1830s. Such aspects of modern Victorian industrial reality were not normally artists’ subjects. ‘Petit did anything but shy away from such subjects’ Andrew Graham-Dixon would enthuse.

Leader of the Lichfield District Council Doug Pullen adds “Petit’s story is fascinating. The pictures and exhibition will add significantly to Lichfield’s attractions as one of the most beautiful Cathedral cities in Britain”.

Born into a wealthy family in Staffordshire, Petit studied at Cambridge, graduating in 1825. The following year he was ordained and began working as a curate, first in Lichfield and then Essex. In 1834 he resigned from church work to pursue his twin vocations of architecture and art. These he pursued relentlessly until his death in 1868.

Petit travelled incessantly all over Europe from Iona to Constantinople, painting outdoor sketches in watercolour in his uniquely modern style. He was also the leading opponent to the Gothic Revival in architecture using his art to illustrate the beauty of different styles in opposition to the conformity of his opponents including Sir George Gilbert Scott, John Ruskin and others.

Unlike his contemporaries, Petit did not paint for the market and never compromised what he wanted to show. His landscape paintings, the most experimental and artistically important, capture the reality of life in Victorian England and France, and demonstrate a unique spiritual wonder in nature without the conventional prettiness of Victorian art. This picture of Paris, for example, also in the exhibition, shows Notre Dame Cathedral in the background but focusses on the grubby, rubble strewn banks of the Seine, a more real side of Paris not normally shown in 19th Century pictures.

Gregory Platten, Cathedral Canon responsible for establishing the exhibition adds “The opening of the exhibition… will add a significant additional attraction for visitors and residents alike. For too long Petit has languished unrecognised even in his own City. His pictures help us to appreciate the spiritual beauty that the Cathedral provides to us all.” Because of the delicacy of Petit’s large watercolours originals and prints will be rotated through the exhibition every few months so that the beautiful fresh colouring of the originals can be preserved. The exhibition has been made possible by a gift from The Friends of Lichfield Cathedral.

The centrepiece of the exhibition will be the Lichfield Series which will occupy the entire upstairs of the Old Stables in the Close. Lichfield City Mayor, Ann Hughes commented “It's wonderful that this too long neglected artist is being rediscovered. This exhibition is a marvellous opportunity for visitors and residents alike to experience Petit's beautiful representations of our historic city.”

One of Petit’s strengths is that his style makes him accessible now. Schools in Lichfield are already using his work as a basis for art and history projects and developing a sense of the heritage of their location. A corner of the exhibition space will be set aside to showing the range of work by local school students using Petit as inspiration.

The exhibition will not be static, but updated regularly not just with different students’ work but by varying the Petit pictures displayed of Staffordshire, the UK and abroad.

Curator of the Lichfield Series, Philip Modiano says: ”Petit is one of the most remarkable British, even European, artists of the 19thcentury. We are just beginning to understand the range of his imagination. Who else tackled the environmental catastrophe of the industrial revolution or the horror of prison ships, while at the same time bringing out the underlying spiritual dimension in landscape.”

The launch takes place on the last day of the Lichfield Summer Festival. Damian Thantrey, Director of Lichfield Festival comments “This is the ideal occasion to host the launching of this new opening for Lichfield. Festival goers, residents and visitors will appreciate this important addition to Lichfield attractions.”

NOTES

The Guildhall talk is open to the public, all welcome. Tickets available, £14 via Lichfield Festival website (www.lichfieldfestival.org). The exhibition, situated in The Old Stables in The Close is free entry and will open at 5pm. Further opening times for the exhibition are yet to be announced.

About the Curator/Speaker - Philip Modiano has been researching and recovering John Louis Petit for six years. Articles have been published articles in the British Art Journal, The Ecclesiologist and The Historian. His first book Petit’s Tours of Old Staffordshire (2019) focussed just on the art of Petit’s home county. It was widely reviewed and long-listed for the W M Berger Art Prize. In 2022 Philip published JL Petit, Britain’s Lost Pre-Impressionist, which was publicized in the Guardian, Country Life, The Victorian, Antique Collector and many other publications. He has lectured on Petit at The Courtauld Institute of Art and the Society of Antiquaries. Contact via enquiries@revpetit.com.