Lutyens

   

    If you watched this evening's Channel 4 programme The Edwardian Grand Designer - good as far as it went - and want to know more about Lutyens, I can recommend The Letters of Edwin Lutyens to his wife, Lady Emily edited by Jane Ridley (who appeared in the programme) and Clayre Percy. The charming pen and ink drawings with which he illustrated many of his letters are included alongside the text, and there are also architectural drawings and photographs. It's clear he was an expressive man, whatever the medium.

Comments

[Nan]

You are SO lucky to have such programs.

[Barbara]

I watched Jonathan Meades instead, but will look out for a repeat of this programme. Most of what I know about Lutyens comes from his work with Gertrude Jekyll.

[Cornflower]

We are, and in light of that I shouldn't quibble!

[Cornflower]

There is enough material in his life and work for several programmes (hence my 'as far as it went' remark), and it didn't seem to know whether its focus was the Castle Drogo restoration, the glorious houses, New Delhi or his war memorials, so we got a bit of all of them including unnecessary shots of Tony Robinson in an Indian taxi, and lots about Drogo's leaky roof but precious little on its interiors. It also seemed to suggest that he was all but forgotten these days!!

[Dark Puss]

I'm looking forward greatly to watching my recording of the Meades programme. He is one presenter whose programmes I certainly make an extra effort to catch.

[Barbara]

A brilliant, provocative man, whose programmes I never miss.

[Dark Puss]

Just watched it! Fantastic, brilliant, though-provoking (thought spearing perhaps). I love the architecture he talks about in these two programmes (and Victorian monstrosity too of course ...)