The Gate to the Isles

 

     Over at Stuck in a Book, Simon has set a very interesting challenge: to post a picture which sums up your reading taste (and no actual books allowed!).

     I've chosen The Gate to the Isles (Blue Gate), 1980, by Winifred Nicholson, a painting I love and one which does, I think, represent my life in books. There's a well-trodden path and the open gate leading on to vast space  - a wild place beyond the garden - so there's a wealth of possibilities out there but a landscape which is, certainly as painted, benign and welcoming and with a degree of enclosure when that's what's wanted, as well as limitless scope for the imagination and the mind to range free and make discoveries.

    Here's what Alice Strang says about the picture in her book Winifred Nicholson in Scotland: "The Gate to the Isles expresses the joy and optimism which Winifred maintained throughout her life and contains the element of spirituality which was at the heart of her personality. The gate [on the island of Eigg] marked the boundary of the Gamekeeper's Cottage garden. The title refers to the Highland myth in which the souls of the dead go west to the Islands of the Blest, to live in paradise with the gods." 

   You can see more of Winifred Nicholson's work on this site, and then there's Christopher Andreae's book (which I don't have but covet).

   If you'd like to take up Simon's challenge and post a picture on your own site, please come back here and leave a comment to let us know, and many thanks to Simon for such a pleasant exercise!

Comments

[Simon T]

I've loved all the responses to this so far, and yours is perhaps my favourite! Lovely painting, and great reasoning behind it.

[Verity]

Wonderful!

[Dark Puss]

My response to Simon's challenge is available over at my website.

[Diana Birchall]

Love it, too. And I've actually been to Eigg - but never knew about this lovely picture until now! I've interpreted Simon's challenge on my blog as "My Ten Best Places to Read," a lifetime list.

http://lightbrightandsparkling.blogspot.com/

[m]

Lovely picture - Virago used it for a cover that sums up my reading taste exactly, The Sleeping Beauty by Elizabeth Taylor.

[Cornflower]

I didn't know that, but what a lovely cover it must make, and one I would pick up straightaway (regardless of title, author, etc.).

[Cornflower]

A great interpretation!

[claire (kiss a cloud)]

Lovely. I do think this reflects your reading, so perfectly suits you! Especially how you explained it. :)

[Desperate Reader]

That's another lovely picture - I'm really enjoying the responses to Simon's challange. I love the sense of promise and adventure in your Nicholson along with the hint of tea and scones when your ready to go back inside. I too would buy a book just for that cover. My picture is at http://desperatereader.blogspot.com

[Carolyn]

Oh, beautiful! I love the softness and colour in the clouds. Mine is here.

[Cornflower]

I am so enjoying seeing all these pictures and reading what's behind them!

[Barbara MacLeod]

I had a go and it is here:
http://off-at-a-tangent.blogspot.com/2010/06/book-tasting.html

[Hannah Stoneham]

This is a lovely icture - it is full of possibilities.

Thanks for sharing - what a fun challenge this is!

Hannah

[Lizzy Siddal]

Beautiful picture and thoughtful explanation.

Simon T's challenge has been one of the great pleasures of this blogging year and after a week's thought I finally posted my response yesterday.

[Dancing Beastie]

Ahh, one of my favourite paintings. I loved it years before I knew anything about the artist. Finally saw it at that exhibition in Edinburgh a few years back: my husband had to drag me away from it. Delighted to have found Cornflower Books while really looking for W. Nicholson. I have linked - hope that's OK?

[Cornflower]

Delighted you've found us! (I so enjoyed that exhibition).

[Jane H]

I loved your choice of painting - I've kept it from a greeting card for years - like the colours and textures and airiness. I like your interpretation of how it conveys your book life. Also the quote - like an optimistic version of Harry's Potter's archway to the dead!

I will have a think of a painting for my reading and let you know.