Planners asked to take a view on permanent Renoir art frames
A UNIQUE Renoir centenary walk looks set to stay as a planning application asks for the five frames that present the views that inspired the artist to remain.
Initially set up to mark the centenary of the death of famous French impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir last year, CCD Architects on behalf of Art for Guernsey, has submitted a retrospective application for the erection of the frames and information signs for the A Journey Through The Eyes Of A Master project.
The walk around the Moulin Huet area in St Martin’s – beginning at the old Moulin Huet Pottery building – takes in views that inspired five of Renoir’s paintings. ‘Moulin Huet Bay Through The Trees’, ‘Fog In Guernsey’, ‘Children At The Seaside, Guernsey’, ‘View Of Guernsey’ and ‘The Moulin Huet Coast’.
At each of these views a frame has been placed which shows the painting’s view.
The walk had opened last July – along with an exhibition containing a privately-owned sketch by the artist which had not been seen by the public in more than 100 years – and was supposed to be temporary but after huge public support and people coming to enjoy the views for themselves Art for Guernsey, which funded the project, decided perhaps the walk itself should become a permanent feature.
Art for Guernsey founder David Ummels said there were some exciting plans in the works.
‘We’ve asked for them to remain in place in Moulin Huet because people really appreciate them,’ he said. ‘They’re such a brilliant asset for the community, plus they support tourism and highlight our very rich heritage and history.
‘There’s some ambitious plans we’ve got up our sleeves too that we’ll hopefully be revealing soon.’
The frames have QR codes, which walkers can scan with their smart devices to hear general director of the Museum of Impressionism, Giverny, Cyrille Sciama’s narrative on the pieces.
Renoir visited Guernsey in 1883 and worked on 15 paintings during his stay, all showing views of Moulin Huet.
. The application can be viewed at Sir Charles Frossard House until Friday 21 February.
