I received this from Srianee (Bunter) who is presently holidaying in Sri Lanka. She had done this beautiful painting when she was spending a few days in Galle. I shall let Srianee herself explain the origin of this painting which I am sure would interest the viewers.
Lucky
The inspiration for this painting was the view from "Closenberg" a mansion (now a hotel) which is situated on a promontory on the south east side of the Galle Bay. As usual, I have taken some artistic liberty and the painting does not realistically depict every detail. But, I hope it evokes a feeling of tranquility.
The history of this place is interesting and I thought I should include it along with the painting. Most of the following information is taken from the 'handout' given to me by the staff at Closenberg.
"In 1719, a small fort was built on this island promontory by the Dutch. They called the island Klossenburg (or Kloffenburg) meaning "fortalice (small fort) or citadel on which the sea roars." Klossenburg housed a battery of two guns and the Sinhalese called it "Aluth Kotuwa" or the new fort. (The larger Galle Fort was built in 1588 by the Portuguese on the south west side of the bay, and was later captured by the Dutch in 1640, with the help of King Rajasinghe II.)
By the time the British took over Galle in 1790, Klossenburg had been abandoned.
Captain Francis Bayley, the agent for the "Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company" arrived in Galle and discovered the disused fort. Bayley was a master carpenter and mason and bought the property from the British Crown. He designed and built the manor in 1861 and called it "Villa Marina." He also constructed a "summer house" at the end of the property where he hoisted the P&O flag on a flagstaff. Bayley's wife Lucy Matilda née Atkinson, who was an artist, decorated the house and designed the gardens. Plants were brought in from locations along the P&O trade route from Calcutta to Suez. Bayley sold the property to the P&O Steamship Company in 1871, when it became the official residence of the company's agent. He continued to live there until the company shifted its offices to Colombo.
In 1889, the house was sold to Simon Perera Abeywardene (son-in-law of Charles Henry de Soysa) on condition that it remain in the hands of the Abeywardene family. The Abeywardenes changed the name to "Closenberg." In 1965 the family home was converted to a hotel. Many improvements were made and it remains an elegant, old fashioned, inviting place.
Many thanks Srianee. You do have your own recognisable style, the hallmark of a good artist. I have never been to "Closenberg", and I confess,never even heard of it! Thank you for including a potted history of the place. I loved your painting and it certainly evoked a feeling of tranquility as you anticipated. Keep painting!
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ReplyDeleteSrianee
ReplyDeleteIt is such beautiful painting. You have most certainly captured its peaceful tranquility. I haven't seen Closenberg since my childhood. Thank you for bringing this magnificent piece of history to our attention again. Closenberg has such a fascinating story, walking those verandahs and corridors must bring back images of a bygone era..
Ars Longa Vita Brevis
Tranquility it is Srianee - Another beautiful work of art.- thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou are a lucky girl being able to trip up and down to SL so often !
Closenberg was a place I loved for its serenity during my internship in Galle, and only managed to visit it once thereafter. Watching the sea from there- away from the hustle and bustle of the city was a panacea.
Thankyou for the update on its history.
Have a great time, and do more painting !
Thanks Rohini. Yes, I am very thankful that I able to make these frequent trips to catch up with family and friends, and also visit familiar (and not so familiar) places.
DeleteMahen, Nihal and Rohini, thank you all for your encouraging comments. That is the beauty of this Blog, to share and get a a little push from one's friends, to keep doing something creative. To create a painting, I have to get an idea and then stay at home to get it done! Sometimes that is not the easiest thing to do, but once I am 'in the zone' it becomes a meditative process, and is wonderfully relaxing. Because I like working with oil paints I have to do it in stages, and it is a slow process. Now that I am retired, I would like to do more than three or four paintings a year, but that does require some discipline. We'll see...
ReplyDeleteClosenberg is a unique place high on top of the rocky promontory. I have not stayed overnight, but just stopped for lunch and tea on a couple of occasions. I love places like that which are steeped in history and have so much character. It is so much better than the luxurious, but generic, five star establishments.
The waiters told us that during the tsunami in 2004, the waves came up close to the verandah, but did not cause any damage to the building itself.
Keep going Srianee Dias Nona mathmaya! What you say about feedback is so true. For me, good or bad,when a person takes the trouble to post a comment, it acts as a stimulant to do more.
DeleteOr should it be Srianee Dias Mathini? Or Srianee Dias "Madam" now that you are in Sri Lanka!
DeleteMahen, I've been called many things, so anything goes! But, seriously, what you say about feedback is true. It shows that people are interested and it also stimulates discussion, sometimes.
DeleteBeautiful painting, recognizable style , useful info ( we are still learning ). Thank you. Keep painting .
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Thank you, Indra. You are right, we are all still learning. We need to continue on that path and stay engaged in what is going on around us.
DeleteThat’s a beautiful account of a grand old manor, now a hotel in Galle. It’s accompanying painting brings on an atmosphere of serenity while the onlooker sees calm waters with distant trees, nearby greenery and climbing plants on the roof. This is beautiful and atmospheric. The very simplicity of the painting creates its own authenticity. Thanks, Srianee! Yours is a gem of a contribution. From Zita
ReplyDeleteZita, thank you. I am glad you liked the painting. Closenberg is a unique place, indeed.
DeleteSrianne,
DeleteI am glad to see you,exploring your nascent talents.May!your solo expedition,a success.Please don't get sun burnt in scorching sun,in Galle district.No one would like to see you with wrinkled.
I'll be sure to apply sunscreen :)
DeleteI am sure you may have tonnes of SF50 with you.What about moisturizer creams?Good old coconut oil is a well known skin cream.Our friends from the Northern province used gingili(sesame)oil as a moisturizer in the days bygone.Your vit D in blood will be fully saturated,by the time you land in US.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Srianee for the lovely painting. During the eleven years I spent in Galle during the 1980 s, I used to visit Closenburg often. It was originally built by the captain of a ship and that is why it resembles the upper deck of a ship.
ReplyDeleteSanath
Great Talent Bunter.
ReplyDeleteI can only paint the walls of my house. Of course leaving a terrible mess for Farina to clear up. Now Iam banned from the paint brush... leaving it to the professionals.
Keep well and 'Carry on Painting!
Thank you Razaque. Great to 'see you ' back on the Blog!
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