Sir – Theresa Thompson, (review Into the Light: French and British painting from Impressionism to the early 1920s at Compton Verney, Weekend, April 19) considers this exhibition is enlightening and that it challenges current perceptions of the artists represented. This is a generous analysis.
The catalogue does not hide that this is a selective display of the artists’ work. However, the general sense of the exhibition reveals it to be yet another missed opportunity because the topic of artistic concerns in England 1880-1900 is woefully inadequately explored — it depends too much upon catch-phrases, without rhyme or reason.
The same theme is pursued as that taken by Kenneth McConkey in 1995 (Impressionism in Britain) — both follow the well-worn path of populist ‘box office’ appeal which French Impressionism provides.
Walter Sickert will be turning in his grave for his paintings are displayed in the same exhibition as imagery by Stanhope Forbes … Dr Virginia Walker, Oxford
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