Foreword

LIKE TIM CRAvEN, WHoSE INTRoDUCToRy ESSAy oPENS THIS catalogue, I have vivid childhood memories of a castle obsession. My mother still speaks of a Welsh holiday when exploring castles was all I wanted to do and a generation later I had the same experience when my own son spent a day roaming the impressive fortifications surrounding Avila in Spain.

`is catalogue and the accompanying exhibition contain a cross-section of castle images from my print collection and, as I was reviewing possible candidates for inclusion, I realised just how frequently such scenes had captured the artistic imagination, both in the UK and further afield. In some cases, such as in the works of F.L. Griggs, the castles are almost entirely imaginary; in others, for example, the multiple images of Corfe castle, reality transcends the imagination producing views of mesmeric mystery.

Why a financial conglomerate might want to sponsor an exhibition on castles may be less clear. But perhaps the many castles still standing, and constantly engaging the interests of new generations, speak volumes for long-term wellbeing founded on sound investment decisions, protective strategies and forward thinking.

All a bit tenuous no doubt but, as the exhibition sponsor, the Punter Southall Group would like to congratulate Southampton City Art Gallery on producing a fascinating and innovative show and we hope it is greatly enjoyed by all its visitors.

Stuart Southall

Co-founder, Punter Southall Group

Sydney R. Jones / Durham / 1924 / etching / 163 x 172 mm Stuart Southall collection