Art History Kent: From Medieval Manuscripts to Modern Galleries
Kent's rich artistic heritage spans over a millennium, from exquisite medieval manuscripts illuminated by monks in Canterbury to the bold contemporary installations at Margate's Turner Contemporary gallery. The 'Garden of England' has not only inspired countless artists with its diverse landscapes of coastlines, orchards, and rolling hills but has also been a crucible for artistic innovation and expression throughout British history. This comprehensive exploration traces the evolution of art in Kent from its earliest expressions to its vibrant contemporary scene.
Medieval Art in Kent: Sacred Illuminations
Kent's earliest significant artistic expressions emerged in the medieval period when Canterbury became one of Europe's most important religious centres. The county's proximity to the continent made it particularly receptive to European artistic influences while developing its own distinctive traditions.
Canterbury Cathedral's Artistic Treasures
Canterbury Cathedral stands as Kent's preeminent repository of medieval art. The stained glass windows of the cathedral, particularly the 12th and 13th-century examples in the Trinity Chapel and Corona, represent some of the finest medieval glass in Europe. The 'Miracle Windows' depicting scenes from the life of Thomas Becket provide not only artistic excellence but also rare visual documentation of medieval life and religious practices.
The cathedral's stone carvings, particularly those in the Chapter House and cloisters, demonstrate the high quality of sculptural work produced in Kent during this period. The tomb effigies, particularly those of the Black Prince (1330-1376) and Henry IV (1367-1413), represent masterpieces of medieval funerary art.
Illuminated Manuscripts
Canterbury's scriptoria produced some of the most magnificent illuminated manuscripts of medieval England. The 'Canterbury Psalter', created around 1200 and now housed in the British Library, showcases the sophisticated artistry of Kent's medieval illustrators. Similarly, the 'Eadwine Psalter' (c.1160), created by the monk Eadwine of Canterbury and now kept in Trinity College, Cambridge, represents a high point of Kentish manuscript illustration.
Rochester Cathedral also maintained an important scriptorium, with the 'Textus Roffensis' (c.1123) standing as one of the most important legal and historical documents of medieval England, combining practical documentation with artistic illumination.
St Augustine's mission to Canterbury establishes the foundation for ecclesiastical art in Kent
Creation of earliest surviving stained glass windows at Canterbury Cathedral
Creation of the Thomas Becket Miracle Windows following his martyrdom
Production of the Canterbury Psalter, a masterpiece of medieval illustration
Renaissance and Tudor Art in Kent
The Tudor period witnessed significant developments in Kent's artistic landscape, with the county's proximity to London and continental Europe ensuring its exposure to Renaissance influences. The dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530s caused disruption to traditional religious art production but also created opportunities for secular patronage.
Portrait Paintings and the Tudor Court
Kent's connections to the Tudor court, particularly through properties like Hever Castle (Anne Boleyn's childhood home) and Penshurst Place, brought court portraiture to the county. Several significant Tudor portrait collections remain in Kent's historic houses, including Knole House near Sevenoaks, which houses an exceptional collection of 17th-century Stuart court portraits.
The portrait tradition established during this period would continue to flourish in Kent through subsequent centuries, with many local gentry families commissioning works from prominent artists.
Decorative Arts and Architecture
Tudor and Elizabethan Kent saw a flourishing of decorative arts, particularly in domestic settings. The timber-framed houses of Kentish towns like Tenterden and Cranbrook showcase intricate wood carving and ornamental plasterwork that represent significant artistic achievements of the period.
Penshurst Place contains one of England's finest medieval great halls, complemented by Tudor additions that exemplify the period's distinctive blend of Gothic and Renaissance elements. Similarly, Knole House presents an encyclopaedic collection of furniture, tapestries, and decorative objects that illustrate the sophisticated artistic tastes of Kent's elite during this transitional period.
18th and 19th Century: The Golden Age of Kentish Landscape Art
Kent's diverse landscapeâcombining coastal vistas, rural idylls, and architectural wondersâprovided endless inspiration for artists during the 18th and 19th centuries. This period witnessed what might be considered the first distinctively 'Kentish' school of painting, focused primarily on landscape.
J.M.W. Turner and the Kent Coast
Perhaps no artist is more associated with Kent's visual identity than Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851). His atmospheric renderings of the Kent coast, particularly around Margate where he frequently stayed, helped establish both his reputation and a new way of depicting landscape that would profoundly influence Western art.
Turner's "Margate from the Sea" (1835-40) and numerous studies of Kentish coastal light conditions showcase his revolutionary approach to atmosphere and colour. Turner's connection to Margate was so significant that the town's contemporary art gallery, Turner Contemporary, bears his name and stands near the lodging house where he stayed.
â J.M.W. Turner, speaking of the distinctive light qualities of the Kent coast
The Victorian Kent Art Circle
The Victorian period saw a flourishing of artistic activity in Kent, with numerous painters establishing studios in towns like Canterbury, Tunbridge Wells, and along the coast. Artists such as Thomas Sidney Cooper (1803-1902), born in Canterbury and known for his pastoral scenes of cattle and rural Kent, achieved considerable commercial success.
Cooper's legacy lives on through the Sidney Cooper Gallery in Canterbury, established through his bequest and now part of Canterbury Christ Church University's arts facilities. Other notable Kentish Victorian artists include Alfred Stannard, known for his detailed coastal scenes, and Helen Allingham, celebrated for her watercolours of Kentish cottages and gardens.
Modern and Contemporary Art in Kent
The 20th and 21st centuries have witnessed a revitalisation of Kent's artistic scene, particularly in coastal towns that have embraced cultural regeneration. The county now hosts internationally significant contemporary art spaces alongside smaller galleries showcasing local talent.
Turner Contemporary and Margate's Renaissance
Opened in 2011, the Turner Contemporary gallery in Margate represents the most visible symbol of Kent's contemporary artistic revival. Designed by architect David Chipperfield, this striking seafront building hosts exhibitions of international significance while maintaining connections to its namesake, J.M.W. Turner, and his relationship with the town.
The gallery has been credited with sparking Margate's cultural regeneration, attracting artists, creative businesses, and cultural tourists to the formerly declining seaside resort. The town now hosts numerous smaller galleries and studios, creating a vibrant artistic ecosystem.
Folkestone Triennial and Creative Quarter
Since 2008, the Folkestone Triennial has commissioned internationally renowned artists to create public artworks throughout the town, many of which remain as permanent installations. This ambitious project, funded by the Creative Foundation (now Creative Folkestone), has transformed the town's public spaces and contributed to the development of Folkestone's Creative Quarter, now home to numerous studios, galleries, and creative businesses.
Artists who have created works for Folkestone include Tracey Emin, Antony Gormley, Yoko Ono, and Mark Wallinger, establishing the town as a significant centre for public art in Britain.
Kent's Art Collections and Galleries Today
Turner Contemporary, Margate
International contemporary art gallery inspired by J.M.W. Turner's connection to Margate, hosting major exhibitions alongside historical works.
The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, Canterbury
Canterbury's central museum and art gallery, housing significant collections of fine and decorative art alongside historical artefacts.
Folkestone Artworks
The UK's largest urban outdoor exhibition of contemporary art, featuring permanent installations from the Folkestone Triennial.
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery
Collection focusing on local history and art, including significant holdings of Tunbridge Ware decorative arts.
Historic House Collections
Properties including Knole House, Penshurst Place, and Leeds Castle house significant art collections spanning centuries.
University of Kent's Studio 3 Gallery
Contemporary exhibition space at the University of Kent's Canterbury campus, highlighting emerging artists alongside established figures.
Notable Kentish Artists Through History
Thomas Sidney Cooper (1803-1902)
Born in Canterbury, Cooper became renowned for his pastoral paintings of cattle and rural scenes. His detailed, atmospheric renderings of Kentish agricultural life earned him commercial success and royal patronage. The Sidney Cooper Gallery in Canterbury was established through his bequest.
Alfred Stannard (1806-1889)
Though born in Norfolk, Stannard spent much of his career in Kent, becoming known for his meticulous coastal scenes and seascapes. His detailed renderings of the Kent coast influenced generations of marine artists.
Tracey Emin (b.1963)
Born in Croydon but raised in Margate, Emin is one of Britain's most famous contemporary artists and a key member of the Young British Artists movement. Her autobiographical work often references her Margate childhood, and she maintains connections to the town, creating works for local public art initiatives.
The Future of Art in Kent
Kent's artistic renaissance continues to gather momentum, with new initiatives expanding the county's creative footprint. The planned development of a Creative District in Chatham's former dockyard, incorporating studios, performance spaces, and educational facilities, represents a significant investment in Kent's creative industries.
Similarly, the expansion of the University for the Creative Arts' campuses in Canterbury and Rochester continues to nurture emerging artistic talent. The university's strong connections to local creative industries provide pathways for graduates to remain in Kent, contributing to a sustainable creative economy.
These developments suggest that Kent's artistic heritage, spanning from medieval illuminated manuscripts to cutting-edge contemporary installations, will continue to evolve while maintaining the county's distinctive creative identity.