This lecture, illustrated with family photographs, paintings and drawings will examine the life and work of the English Post-Impressionist painter, Robert Bevan (1865-1925). He was a member of no less than 5 artists groups including the groundbreaking Camden Town Group (1911-1914) which has been described as the foundation stone of the British modern movement. Many of his friends and colleagues, including Paul Gauguin, Spencer Gore and CRW Nevinson, influenced the development of his art practice towards abstraction. Usually associated with groups rather than for his distinctive contribution, Bevan is best known for his paintings of horses, his favourite motif, and particularly of London horse sales. He was a sometimes reclusive figure but for a brief moment in 1903-04 with his pure colour Polish landscapes, Bevan - blissfully unaware, led the British avant-garde.

Tim Craven is lead Curatorial Officer, Arts and Heritage, Southampton City Council. He trained in fine art conservation before being appointed Assistant Conservation Officer at Southampton City Art Gallery in 1980. A career spanning nearly 29 years at the Gallery has included 5 different posts, including Conservation Officer, Collections Manager and Curator. The Gallery holds one of the finest collections of work by the Camden Town Group and related artists outside the Tate. Tim Craven has curated various collection displays and temporary exhibitions on the subject including 'Malcolm Drummond in 1998 and 'A Clean and Solid Mosaic: Harold Gilman and William Ratcliffe' in 2002. In 2004 he met Robert Bevan's great-grandson, Patrick Baty, and together they have curated the present exhibition.

To book please phone Kay Knipe at Abbot Hall on 01539 722464