As I was walking up towards the Russell-Cotes Road I came across a rather strange individual dressed up in an unusual way, though I admired the courage he displayed as he was bombarded by quite a few outloud remarks coming from some construction workers standing by.
To be able to ignore those who laught at us is an art but the type of art I was looking for was the one displayed at the spectacular seaside villa which was once a hotel pertaining to Annie and Merton Russell-Cotes from 1901 and which has been turned into an interesting Museum and Art Gallery.
As patrons and collectors the Russell-Cotes couple created galleries to showcase their collections of Art, natural History and souvenirs from their world travels having upon their death left it all to the people of Bournemouth.
One hasn't got the faintest idea what to expect from the outside (at least I hadn't) but as I got through the garden and onto the first floor, where an Art of wellbeing Bournemouth East Mental Health exhibition was on into the dark red Dining room and Conservatore I instantly knew that I had taken the best decision in not having gone straight to Wareham.
Three artefacts on exhibition on the first floor next to the Café area with "Two nudes" by John Christopher Jane being the one that caught most people's attention.
The Dining room is considered one of the principal showrooms of the house and is said to contain some of the finest painting. The peackocks and fruit that decorate the coving were painted by John Thomas, with the inglenook fireplace and the ceiling in an early English type design and the stained glass revealing the patriotism and imperialism of the Russell-Cotes couple.
(To be continued)
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