Remembrance of Things Past

6th January 1948: “Painting all morning on the Excalibur picture which I began some time back. The trees overhanging the mere in the background are a trouble. Try to organize them so they mean something in the design and yet to get a hint of something mysterious.”

When Richard was 7 he stayed with a great uncle. He was sent to a local farm for eggs and had a mystical experience there, the inspiration for this work.

"The mill house was on the other side of the beck, standing on a higher level and the mill pond was again higher behind the mill so that the water came down into the mill and out into the stream below. I approached the farm over the bridge keeping my eyes fixed on the gap between it and the mill where I knew the pond to be. As the surface …

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When Richard was 7 he stayed with a great uncle. He was sent to a local farm for eggs and had a mystical experience there, the inspiration for this work.

"The mill house was on the other side of the beck, standing on a higher level and the mill pond was again higher behind the mill so that the water came down into the mill and out into the stream below. I approached the farm over the bridge keeping my eyes fixed on the gap between it and the mill where I knew the pond to be. As the surface full of weed came into view a strange thing happened. A shadowy figure among the reeds and trees on the opposite bank threw something into the air and then out of the water came an arm, which opened its hand. A sword fell into its grasp. It vibrated with the impact, gave a flourish and returned under the water. The ducks and hens continued their search for food and a horse standing nearby appeared to be dozing. Mrs. Plum gave me the eggs apparently unaware of the strange goings on and no doubt thought me a scared little thing, which I was."