Mary Watts‘ Legacy: 3D Scanning the Decorative Ceiling Panels
In 1889, seeking a winter retreat from New Little Holland House, their London home, G F and Mary Watts stayed with friends in Compton. They quickly decided that this picturesque village nestled in the Surrey hills would make the ideal location for their own autumn/winter residence.
The ‘little house’, as they called Limnerslease, grew into a source of inspiration and a place of great productivity and tranquillity for them both.
Limnerslease was very much an artists’ home. Its name comes from ‘Limner’ — the Old English word for artist — and ‘lease’ — to glean hope for the future. Both Mary and George found new inspiration in Compton.
Mary designed and created many of the decorative elements of the house, including the distinctive ceiling panels that adorn the main rooms. These panels are made of gesso, a mixture of plaster and glue, which is applied in relief to a wooden base.
The panels depict symbolic figures and motifs drawn from various mythological, allegorical, and spiritual sources. The panels depict the four seasons, the elements of nature, and various virtues such as wisdom, courage, and compassion.
Mary Watts believed that art should have a moral purpose and sought to create works that would inspire and uplift people. The ceiling panels at Limnerslease were intended to convey a sense of unity and harmony between humanity and the natural world, as well as a vision of a higher spiritual reality.
In addition to the ceiling panels, Mary Watts created a range of other decorative elements for the house, including stained glass windows, furniture, and textiles. She also taught art to local villagers and founded the Compton Pottery, a workshop that produced ceramics in the Arts and Crafts style.
Scan the World had the privilege of scanning some of the ceiling panels created by Mary Watts at Limnerslease. We are delighted to announce that a total of 10 panels scanned at the Gallery are now available to view and download as part of our full collection.
