FAMOUS ARAB HALL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 July 1925, Page 4

FAMOUS ARAB HALL.

LEIGHTON HOUSE SAVED. 'marvels op splendour. One of the most remarkable of modern homes of England has been secured for the public. The Kensington Borough Council has bought Lord Leighton’s home. Leighton House was more than the home of Frederick Lord Leighton for the last 30 years of his life; it was his secret treasure store, his museum of the kind of art he loved. Lord Leighton lived from 1830 to 1896. He was a painter and sculptor of great renown in his day; he became president of the Royal Academy, and was so much thought of as to be given burial in St. Paul’s. It is the fashion in these days to look down on the art of the last century. In another generation people will be look>ing back with groat interest on the work of 19th century artists. Leighton House will present to them a very fine aspect of the ideals of a man of genius. The house stands in a spacious garden in Holland Park Road, and the passer-by knows at once that something unusual is here. If he happens to be interested, and the day is Saturday, he will find himself a free visitor in Lord Leifhton’s house. Other days he will be charged a fee of Is for sake of the upkeep of the house. Through the inner entrance hall, with its marble and gold columns, the visitor passes on, into the blue-w T alled twilight corridor. On. either side are plaques from Damascus, nearly 400 years old, framed in blue tiles made by William de Morgan. The rich gloom suddenly gives way to the marvel of the Arab Hall. Here the visitor sees evidences of Leighton’s great love for Moorish art and rich Eastern effects. Light comes down through the richly-coloured glass Of the domed roof on to a sparkling fountain that stands in the centre of the hall. The basin is of black marble, decorated with wonderful Moorish tiles. Round the walls runs a mosaic frieze, the handiwork of Walter Crane. Here is one of the charms of Lord little palace of art. Past and present, east and west, join to make its splendours. It is no small tribute to the skill with which it was planned that decorations from such varied sources should fall into harmonious wholeLord Leighton died unmarried and his property was left to the care of his two sisters. Some years ago it was suggested that the house should become the property of the nation. The plan fell through. Then the Leighton House Association was formed for the promotion of art, music, and literature. Concerts and lectures were given in the house. The income has not been equal to the expenditure. Mrs. Russell Barrington has been at a loss of £3OO yearly and felt she could no longer bear the strain. Once more, under very favourable conditions. Leighton House was offered to the nation arid the Borough of Kensington has accepted the offer.