PRESS RELEASE
an allegorical painting inspired by Princess Diana by contemporary master André Durand
now on display 21 years after her death, in a special exhibition at
The Eastbury Hotel, Sherborne
28 AUGUST 2018: 21 years after her death in late August 1997, the historical personage of the Princess of Wales is truly metamorphosing to one of myth before our eyes. To commemorate her life, the original and spectacular allegorical painting "TO THE CHASE" painted by contemporary master André Durand will be exhibited at The Eastbury Hotel in Sherborne, situated in the beautiful Library Room, for the next six weeks.
This large canvas is one of a number painted by Durand inspired by the Princess. "TO THE CHASE" depicts Princess Diana as the Roman goddess of the hunt, like a luminous apparition in the local Cerne Abbas, Dorset countryside.
The Eastbury was acquired by Peter & Lana de Savary earlier this year and when they met Durand who was staying at the Hotel, they were inspired by his work and in particular the two allegories he was creating of the Princess in Dorset.
De Savary commented, "Durand's painting has captured the essential spirit of the Princess and set it deep in the Dorset countryside, which is some of the most beautiful in England, and also will remind our Eastbury guests of the colourful gardens awaiting them within the hotel grounds."
The display loan of "TO THE CHASE" by the artist is one of a number of exciting events André Durand has planned in conjunction with Peter & Lana de Savary for the next few months at The Eastbury Hotel.
For high res images and press contacts: Jane Adkins, A Head for PR, T/: 01935 813114 E/: jane@aheadforpr.co.uk www.aheadforpr.co.uk
Editor's Notes
About André Durand
André Durand (born Ottawa, Canada 1947) is a painter working in the European Hermetic tradition. He is influenced by artists such as Rubens, Titian, Michelangelo and Velázquez.
Although Durand is perhaps best known for his allegorical portraits, such as Princess Diana as Fortuna, he achieved international artistic acclaim for his official portraits of John Paul II (1983) and the Dalai Lama (1983, 1989). Durand's portrait of the Irish novelist Elizabeth Bowen (1972) is one of the most popular portraits in London's National Portrait Gallery.
In 1970 Durand painted a series of pictures inspired by the dancers of the Royal Ballet. It is nevertheless Durand's extraordinary mythological narratives that demonstrate his profound understanding of the myths and rituals of both Classical and Christian traditions. These are an ever present undercurrent of his work.
As Durand has said: ‘almost all the young people that inspire me to paint them have something in common. I am convinced that I have met them before in a painting. When I consider the teenage behaviour of the deities and saints in mythology or the Bible, not to mention heroes and heroines, the kids in my pictures are appropriate symbols of such protagonists.' How suitable therefore, for Durand to have represented the bravery of Daniel confronting death amongst the lions as a tribute to Demelza's dedication and sensitivity to the uniqueness of the physical, social, intellectual, emotional, cultural and spiritual needs of every child and their family.http://www.durand-gallery.com
The Eastbury Hotel
Family owned by Peter de Savary, an avid art collector himself, The Eastbury Hotel is a charming boutique Georgian period listed country house hotel set within a spectacular walled garden in the centre of Sherborne. The hotel has been completely refurbished and restyled in 2018 with a selection of 22 guest rooms, all individually styled for ultimate comfort and relaxation.www.theeastburyhotel.co.uk
Aug 2018 (AD 03a)