BALLIOL’S WALL PICTURES

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 May 1936, Page 12

BALLIOL’S WALL PICTURES

LEGEND OF COLLEGE. OXFORD, March 18. t •’ Mural paintings, 'begun by Gilbert Spencer two years ago in Holywell. Manor, which old members of Bdlliol College bought in 19.32 as an annexe; were open to public inspection to-day. To celebrate their completion a luncheon was given. in the old Common Room of Balliol College by the master, Mr. A. D. Lindsay, and the, Fellows. . . : The subject of the paintings is the’ legend of the foundation of Brilliol iir the 13th century. ? ■< John of Balliol, •wishing to possess himself of lands belonging to I He, Bishop of Durham., his near neighbour, ambushed him as he was crossing a ford bn the border. The Bishop complained to the King, who ordered John of Balliol to be flogged. His wife, Dervofgiiilla, who had -ieanirigs 'tpv wards learning, Turthfer atohdd’for Tier husband’s crime by giving money to. 16 poor scholars to come ‘to OX-fbtd.

Four walls of one of the smaller rooms of HolyW'ell Manor were clj'oseh; by'the artist on which to tell,the story.. Tie has treated the decorations 'frfieily/ without reference to iHsTorfcal ~a(Tcup acy, rind as agriculture was the chief VctoHtion in the 13ih century he has, painted the pjjJlfiYes Th Tflirit fcirid atmosphere. The paintings are in oij, on a specially-prepared'surface. ■ . '.I