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Chairing the Feathers; The Eynsham Morris at the Gates of Blenheim Palace

Image credit: Modern Art Press

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Notes

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The figure depicts ‘Feather’ Russell, the foreman for the Eynsham Morris side pre-First World War, carried on the shoulders of two dancers at the gates of Blenheim Palace. Holding a stick with a pig’s bladder attached, Russell is ‘the fool’, hitting the men with the stick if they miss a step and stopping the ritual from becoming too serious. Behind Russell a small child sits on the shoulders of another dancer. This is perhaps his son, Anthony, watching the festivities. During 1901 to 1903, Sir William Nicholson took a number of photographs of Russell and the side, working from these to produce at least four paintings. Russell travelled to Woodstock frequently to sit for Nicholson, being paid a sovereign at a time.

English Folk Dance and Song Society

London

Title

Chairing the Feathers; The Eynsham Morris at the Gates of Blenheim Palace

Date

1902

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 114 x W 92 cm (E)

Accession number

EFDSSART001

Acquisition method

gift from The Morris Ring

Work type

Painting

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English Folk Dance and Song Society

Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent's Park Road, London, Greater London NW1 7AY England

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