British Sign Language (BSL) talk
Edwin Austin Abbey: By the Dawn’s Early Light
Free
Places are available on a first come, first served basis with priority given to British Sign Language users. The room may need to close if the event reaches capacity.
Assistance dogs are welcome.
Please arrive in good time to access the building and find Room 1.
Please view our Access page for more information
About
Join Deaf lecturer Edward Richards for an introduction to our free exhibition, 'Edwin Austin Abbey: By the Dawn’s Early Light'.
The exhibition displays Edwin Austin Abbey’s huge study for ‘The Hours’, the celestial scene that decorates the ceiling of the Representatives Chamber, Pennsylvania State Capitol, Harrisburg. His most important work, created late in his career, it was to be his last.
During this talk, Edward will discuss the background of the commission, and the life and career of the artist. Abbey, born 1852 in Philadelphia, left the US in 1878 for the UK, never to return. He was well known when he lived in England and was a close friend to fellow expatriates like John Singer Sargent and Henry James but is now largely forgotten. Learn about how he produced ‘The Hours’ in his Gloucestershire studio, then the largest art studio in Europe, and how the work captures a time of sweeping change in America.
This session will be led by a Deaf lecturer in British Sign Language with interpretation in spoken English.
British Sign Language (BSL) talks
Throughout the year, free talks are given in BSL by Deaf presenters or in spoken English with BSL interpretation.
Edward Richards
Since 2002, Edward Richards has been a freelance British Sign Language (BSL) Arts Guide in Museums and Galleries to Deaf BSL groups. He has delivered talks ranging from Renaissance to contemporary art at museums and galleries including the National Gallery and Tate.