Conceived as a visual art exploration, with commentary, of Tolkien’s œuvre as well as of the origin of medieval legends, which today are predominant in comic books, video games, and on the small and big screens, the exhibition presents more than 250 drawings and paintings by the artist John Howe.
An artist of international repute, John Howe first illustrated Tolkien’s novels before taking part in the artistic direction of the two cinematographic trilogies The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit alongside filmmaker Peter Jackson, living for several years in New Zealand during the shooting of the films. More recently, he has taken part in the artistic production of The Lord of the Ring: The Rings of Power.
Complemented with a selection of paintings and old authentic accessories (armour, swords), the exhibition offers an orginal vision, pictorial, cultural and ludic on Tolkien’s universe and the myths that inspired it.
The exhibition trail is also punctuated with works of art contemporary toTolkien,likethosefromthePre-Raphaelitemovement-opposed to the British classic conformism, and mainly inspired by medieval imaginary - as well as from the Arts and Crafts movement.
Curators: Diane and Jean-Jacques Launier, founders of the musée Art Ludique
