‘A Fine House Richly Furnished’ is a hand painted 3D object that I completed for the project ‘Sitting With Jane‘. Inspired by Jane Austen this art trail features 24 book benches painted by a mix of professional and local artists.
‘Sitting With Jane’ is a unique public art trail featuring 24 artist benches. It celebrates Jane Austen’s connections with Basingstoke and her birthplace, Steventon, and forms part of a global commemoration of her life in 2017, the 200th anniversary of her death.
A big thank you to Andrew Smith & Son for sponsoring my design, based on Chatsworth House. It’s well known as the inspiration for Mr Darcy’s home, Pemberley, used as the setting for film versions of Jane Austen’s novels. Here is the time lapse video of the painting process, completed at a live studio space at Festival Place in Basingstoke (you can see some of my fellow artists busy in the background!). The trail is now live, with my bench on display at the bandstand of Memorial Park in Basingstoke. You can also download an app to help you find all the benches that are dotted around the area.
All the benches will eventually be auctioned, with proceeds donated to the Ark Cancer Centre Charity.
See A Fine House Richly Furnished and other videos from Jonathan on Vimeo.