![Art. Revealing the Emotions and the Soul; The Head of Christ by Leonardo Da Vinci. From the ‘Ministry of Art’ by J.G. [John Gibbins]. by ADAMS, Cuthbert Harry. [DA VINCI, Leonardo].](https://images.vialibri.net/production/28/12714---height_450.jpg?v=1766143481)
ADAMS, Cuthbert Harry. [DA VINCI, Leonardo]. ~ Art. Revealing the Emotions and the Soul; The Head of Christ by Leonardo Da Vinci. From the ‘Ministry of Art’ by J.G. [John Gibbins].
Illuminated calligraphic manuscript written out on vellum by Harry Cuthbert Adams, mounted to card. Calligraphic titles written out in blue and gilt with blue and gilt initial words for each of the five paragraphs which are written out in a fine calligraphic hand in black ink. Excellent central miniature, between the two columns of text, in watercolour and gouache of the Head of Christ after Leonardo Da Vinci, above a decorated crown of thorns with foliation beneath it which is initialled and dated by the artist with the title of the book which it is from below in blue ink. The manuscript is 22.5 x 28 cm, in a fine contemporary light wood frame which is 25 x 30 cm.
Affixed to the rear of the frame in an envelope is a contemporary headed card from The Ruskin Gallery in Birmingham with an als from the founder of the gallery John Gibbins, gifting the work to an A.M. Patrick with what appears to be a declaration of final gratitude to Mr Patrick and an acceptance of death written in August 1932.
A fine piece of work by the Birmingham illuminator and artist Harry Cuthbert Adams (1894-1974) reproducing Da Vinci’s work is a spectacular manner alongside an elegantly executed calligraphic text which is part of a text in “Ministry of Art” by the art dealer and art patron John Gibbins (1878-1932) who founded the Ruskin Gallery in Birmingham.
The Ruskin Gallery opened its doors in 1925 and became one of Birmingham’s leading venues for the exhibition of modern art. Gibbins exhibited both local artists, like Adams, and international artists including several who were what might have been termed ‘avant-garde’. One of the galleries first exhibitions included artwork by Matisse, Bonnard and Vlaminck and the gallery became very well known for its 1928 ground-breaking exhibition of contemporary Russian art. Adams would have been part of Gibbins’s inner circle as the gallery provided an outlet form the local Artist-Craftsmen Group which evolved into the Modern Group.
A.M. Patrick to whom this was given by Gibbins was a Birmingham grandee being chairman of Britannic Assurance and with his son Joseph founded Edgbaston Garage which became Patrick Motors Group which still exists today. It is to be assumed that Patrick was a close friend and probably patron of Gibbins’s gallery.