magic, theatre and a fascinating museum

It has been a busy winter so far! I am very busy with my own creative projects. The main project is researching the life and (especially) works of Philip James de Loutherbourg – stage designer, Special Effects artist, painter and occultist. He lived in 18th-century London and was a close friend of Thomas Gainsborough, Sir Joshua Reynolds and other luminaries of the London art scene. He and William Blake were acquainted and Loutherbourg also taught Turner how to paint light.

However, Loutherburg isn’t very well known now, though he was very famous in his time. I hope to find out why this is the case in my research. I’m writing a book – narrative non fiction ; that means , it reads like a novel, but it’s a true story based on research – like the excellent book The Optical Illusion by Rachel Halliburton, which is set in a similar time period. But while Haliburton’s book exposes the machinations and scandals of the Royal Academy, my book will explore the strange and compelling relationships that London’s artists had to the occult. The so-called Age of Enlightenment had many magicians, sorcerers, faith healers, necromancers. and alchemists. And Loutherbourg was one of them!

Loutherbourg is also a minor character in the play I am writing, Cagliostro’s Apologia. In this show, the legendary magician and knave Count Cagliostro mounts the self-defence he never got to make in his lifetime.. Cagliostro was apparently quite a talented artist himself, but tended to use his talents to make forgeries, whereas Loutherbourg was all original. Nevertheless, the two men were close friends for a while until their spectacular falling out, which ended with Cagliostro being immured forever in an Inquisition prison and Loutherbourg temporarily abandoning art to faith-heal the poor of London. I told you it was an interesting life!

Nevertheless, despite the impending winter, I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to explore the capital’s exhibitions once again. I am excited to share some captivating imagery from a recent visit to the extraordinary Sir John Soane Museum in Lincoln’s Inn Fields. Soane, a distinguished artist and architect, was a notable member of the Royal Academy, recognized during his lifetime for his remarkable designs such as the Bank of England and Dulwich Picture Gallery. Additionally, his exceptional talent for collecting and showcasing his remarkable collection in his self-designed residence, now transformed into a museum, is truly commendable. Notably, Soane maintained a close friendship with Loutherbourg, and upon the artist’s passing in 1812, Mrs. Loutherbourg entrusted Soane with the design of a monument for her husband’s tomb in the Chiswick churchyard. I am already making plans for a pilgrimage to the tomb and looking forward to experiencing the charms of Chiswick’s pubs during my visit.

Above are two captivating pieces temporarily exhibited by the Museum. These are not traditional paintings, but rather large painted transparencies. Here’s more from the Museum’s display information: