Museums

This depiction of the medieval castle, Chateau Galliard in Normandy, is the work of locally important artist Sir Alfred East (1844-1913).

The chateau features in a few other paintings by East. This painting is thought to date from before the 1903 annual exhibition at the Royal Academy as it was exhibited there under the title The Castle of Coeur de Lion. Therefore, it is believed that East painted the finished work from sketches in his studio in the months leading up to the exhibition. 

The exhibited title relates to King Richard I of England or Richard the Lionheart who was also Duke of Normandy. The castle was built for Richard with construction beginning in 1196. 

Rather than focusing directly on the castle, East presents the chateau high up in the background allowing space for him to focus on the countryside and people. By constructing the composition in this way East could also capture the impact of sunlight and shade on the scene. Showing how the direct sun on the castle creates a bright white glow whereas in the countryside below has the golden warmth of late summer and the long shadows of the evening. The painted landscape is not a snapshot, transient moment but gives a sense of timelessness.