Artist John William Inchbold

In Adel churchyard is the gravestone of John William Inchbold, ‘Painter and Poet’. Below his name are lines taken from a poem written in his memory by his friend, the writer and poet Algernon Swinburne:

‘If far beyond the shadow and the sleep

A place there be for souls without a stain.’

Born and brought up in Leeds, the artist Inchbold (1830-1888) was championed by Ruskin and recognised by members of the Pre-Raphaelite circle as an outstanding landscape painter. His works, often inspired by Romantic poetry, presented nature under the microscope using luminous colours and meticulous attention to detail.

The talk will explore Inchbold’s life and work, with particular focus given to paintings held in the collection of Leeds Art Gallery, some of which will be on display.

Jo Nash has taught art for over 30 years. He recently completed an MA in Fine Art at the University of Leeds.