The White Cottages - John Shelley (1938–2020)

John Shelley is known for his dream-like, symbolist paintings of quintessentially British countryside, exemplified by this work, The White Cottages. Depicting to semi-detached cottages, a village church spire rising behind the dip in their double-gabled roof, the painting exudes a sense of quiet tranquillity. A lone cyclist rides up the lane away from the viewer, the puddles in the road and grey clouds suggesting a summer shower has just passed. The white of the cottages stands out against the dark greens of the foliage, lead the viewer's eye down the path taken by the cyclist heads towards bright sunshine visible beyond, promising that soon the rest of the scene will be bathed in warm summer sun once again.

Characteristically of Shelley, the scene is rendered in exquisite detail. From the individual leaves of the plants in the hedgerow, the tyre-track in the lane to the white wooden panelling of the cottages and the gothic window of the church tower in the distance, each element is shines with care and attention.

John Shelley
Born in Margate, England, John Shelley was a painter and jazz musician. Primarily known for his dream-like, quintessential English pastoral scenes, Shelley trained at Wimbledon School of Art where he developed his almost-surrealist style. After winning a British Institution Fund award in 1957, Shelley went on to develop his practice at the Slade School of Art in 1958.

Shelley noted the heavy influence of artists such as Samuel Palmer and Stanley Spencer on his work, whose imaginative as well as mystical depictions of rural, everyday life helped shape his compositions.

In 1960 John was called up for National Service with the RAF but continued to paint due to encouragement from his wife.

His successful submission of his painting The Visitation to the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition of 1968, launched Shelley's career as a painter as he exhibited alongside artists such as Dod Procter, William Dring and Ruskin Spear. He would then go on to exhibit at the summer exhibition for many more years between 1968-1988.

Exhibitions
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, 1968 - 1988

Museums
Tate Galleries
Contemporary Arts Society