One of Britain’s best known cartoonists, Thelwell rose to prominence in the 1950s with his humorous take on horse riding and particularly children’s ponies.
Fishing, gardening, motoring, sailing, farming and stately homes all came under his sharp eyes.
He was also a master of social comment and a keen observer of the foibles of the British at work and play.
The Hunt Observers, courtesy of the Artist’s estate
His 32 books have been distributed worldwide, but perhaps less familiar is Thelwell’s work as a watercolour artist in the British landscape tradition.
Opening on what would have been his 91st birthday, the exhibition Thelwell Country celebrates both aspects of his work.
It will showcase his much-loved cartoons, but also the landscape paintings which he produced when not working on an almost continual list of commissions.
The watercolour landscapes are a wonderful evocation of the English countryside particularly in the area around his Hampshire home near Romsey.
Thelwell Country, a new art exhibition at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington running from Saturday 3rd May until Saturday 14th June will display over 70 original cartoons and watercolour landscapes by Norman Thelwell (3rd May 1923 – 7th February 2004).
