The Princess of Wales has demonstrated her enduring passion for the arts during a visit to a cultural centre in Winchester, where she praised a significant exhibition celebrating the artistic legacy of the Morris family.
Royal Visit to The Arc
Kate Middleton, who studied Art History at the University of St Andrews, described The Beauty of Earth exhibition as 'inspiring' during her tour of The Arc in Winchester. The cultural hub, established as a charity in 2014 and housed within a Grade II listed building, hosts Winchester Library alongside various performances, classes, talks, and art displays.
Personal Instagram Message
The Princess shared her thoughts on social media, writing on Instagram: 'My thanks to the team at The Arc in Winchester. It was inspiring to see how they have placed creativity at the heart of the community and made art widely accessible. The Beauty of The Earth exhibition was a powerful reminder of the connection between nature, creativity and craft.' She signed the message personally with 'C'.
Exhibition Details and Content
The sold-out exhibition ran from November 15 until February 4 and was guest curated by Suzanne Fagence Cooper, a specialist in 19th and 20th century art and design. It showcased the work of the Morris family, highlighting their deep appreciation for nature through their homes, which were transformed into 'creative and pleasurable spaces'.
The exhibition featured works from the earliest days of Jane and William Morris's marriage, including embroidery, wallpaper, decorated books, and oil paintings. It also displayed pieces by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Edward Burne-Jones, and John Ruskin, alongside designs by May Morris that were on public display for the first time.
A unique sound piece recorded in the countryside at the Morris family's summer house in Oxfordshire was also part of the exhibition, which aimed to show how the family's visionary art continues to encourage appreciation for 'the narrow spot that surrounds our daily life'.
Centre's Response
The Arc responded to the royal visit, stating: 'We were honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales to Beauty of the Earth: The Art of May, Jane & William Morris at The Arc, Winchester. This exhibition celebrates the enduring legacy of the Morris family, highlighting the artistic contributions of May and Jane Morris alongside William Morris. We are proud to see this important exhibition recognised in this way.'
Kate's Longstanding Arts Patronage
The Princess of Wales has been a consistent supporter of the arts, building upon her academic background through patronage of numerous arts-based charities. Last year, she unveiled her own exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, where she serves as Royal Patron.
Previous Exhibition Work
For her 'Makers and Creators' exhibition at the V&A, Kate personally collaborated with the museum's curatorial team to select eight significant works from its extensive collection. Her choices included:
- A watercolour study of a forest glade by children's author Beatrix Potter
- A 15th century earthenware tile
- A furnishing screen designed by William Morris's assistant, J H Dearle, from the mid-1880s
- Oliver Messel's costume for the Fairy of the Woodland Glades, worn by Diana Vere in The Royal Ballet's 1960 production of The Sleeping Beauty
During her Winchester visit, the 44-year-old Princess was dressed stylishly in a camel coat with an orange scarf and a fitted turtle neck jumper, engaging eagerly with the artwork as she explored the Morris family exhibition that clearly resonated with her artistic sensibilities.
