Prof Sir Albert Richardson PRA
Avioth La Recevresse

1960
Watercolour
29.5x20cm
Signed with initials and dated lower left

Avioth is in the Meuse region of France, on the Belgian border. The city was founded in the twelfth century, when a villager miraculously found a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary in a thorn bush. A chapel built on the site soon became a place of pilgrimage and the church on the site – dedicated to Notre Dame – was created a Basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1983. Beside the Basilica stands the Recevresse, a piece of stone lacework. Its original function is unknown; it was more recently a place where pilgrims’ offerings were received. It was registered as a historical monument in 1840 by the French authorities.

Sir Albert Edward Richardson K.C.V.O., F.R.I.B.A, F.S.A., P.R.A. (1880-1964) was a traditionalist, renowned for his distaste of modern architecture. Rooted firmly in the classical period, he lived a Georgian life, refusing to have electricity in his Georgian house – until his wife finally insisted. Professor of Architecture at UCL’s Bartlett School of Architecture from 1929-1955, this was evacuated to Cambridge during the war and he became a fellow of St Catharine’s College. Amongst his other achievements, Richardson was President of the RA, editor of Architect’s Journal and founder of the Georgian Group.

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Condition: Good.