Arthur Neal at Athelhampton

An exhibition of painting, drawing and etching

30th March to 14th June 2025

The new East Wing Gallery at Athelhampton House provides the perfect background to display the multiple talents of Arthur Neal.

Thomas Hardy had many connections with Athelhampton House, which he painted in watercolour as a young man before focusing his creativity on novels and poetry. Echoing this connection, the show includes some of Arthur's etchings inspired by the writings of the literary giant.

A Sheep Fair

The day arrives at the autumn fair,

And torrents fall,

Though sheep in throngs are gathered there,

Ten thousand all,

Sodden, with hurdles round them reared:

And, lot by lot, the pens are cleared,

And the auctioneer wrings out his beard,

And wiped his book, bedrenched and smeared,

And rakes the rain from his face with the edge of his hand,

As torrents fall.

The wool of the ewes is like a sponge

with the daylong rain:

Jammed tight, to turn, or lie, or lunge,

They strive in vain.

Their horns are soft as finger-nails,

Their shepherds reek against the rails,

The tied dog soak with tucked-in tails,

The buyers' hat-brims fill like pails,

Which spill small cascades when they shift their stand

In the daylong rain.

Postscript

Time has trailed lenghily since met

At Pummery Fair

Those painting thousans in their wet

And woolly wear:

And every flock long since has bled,

And all the dripping buyers have sped,

And the hoarse auctioneer is dead,

Who "Going - going!" so often said,

As he consigned to doom each meek, mewed band

At Pummery Fair.

Sheep Fair - Thomas Hardy 1980 Etching by Athur Neal

For more information, visit Athelhampton House & Garden website

Event location map

• Associated pages
Members portalLog out

2025/2026 THS Dates for your diary

From 05/04/2025 until 01/08/2026
Starts 11:00 until 18:00

Professor Roger Ebbatson Public Lecture

On 07/05/2025
Starts 15:00 until 18:30

Launch Event: 10 Lovers, 50 Poems

On 09/05/2025
Starts 17:30 until 19:30

Paula Byrne Lecture: Hardy Women: Mother, Sisters, Wives, Muses

On 30/05/2025
Starts 18:00 until 19:00

Past Day School in Dorchester

Apr2025

Music at St Peter's this Easter

Apr2025

All about Jude

Apr2025

Professor Fred Reid Tribute

Apr2025