By the Ocean House and Liz Leamy
Ocean House, the famous 19-century five-star New England seaside resort based in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, has been, in characteristic fashion, as busy as ever, especially with the overwhelming popularity of its recently opened Bemelmans Gallery and Bemelmans Suite featuring many of the original works and illustrations from the renowned ‘Madeline’ book series.
This remarkable collection, curated by Hilary Hatfield and owned and presented by Deborah and Charles Royce, proprietors of the Ocean House who are longtime Greenwich residents and major benefactors of many non-profit organizations based in and around the local community, opened up this past April at this illustrious Atlantic oceanfront hotel to grand reviews and is certainly quite a stunning sight to see in person.
As the largest permanent private collection of work created by Bemelmans on public display in the world, this exhibition features a multitude of his original works, architectural commissions, product campaign illustrations and illustrations, many of which are from the beloved ‘Madeline’ six-book series that was first published in 1939.
Certainly, it is something to consider that Ludwig Bemelmans, who had worked at the original Ritz Carlton Hotel on 46th Street and Madison Avenue in Manhattan for many years until its closing in 1951, wrote and illustrated this classic series that follows Madeline, the courageous seven year-old petite red head and her 11 schoolmates from boarding school all over Paris, during most of the time he was a presence at that legendary establishment.
Notably, there are two tall ‘Madeline’ paintings that are original pieces created by Bemelmans for the children’s dining room on Aristotle Onassis’ famous yacht, the Christina O, that are also a featured part of this collection. (Onassis’ yacht had been named in honor of his daughter, Christina.)
In addition, the Bemelmans Gallery is also showcasing 21 of Bemelmans’ drawings titled ‘Farewell to the Ritz’ that depict his experiences at the hotel, which had been razed after its closing in 1951.
“Ludwig Bemelmans was an iconic, prolific and witty artist and writer who continues to appeal to people of all ages,” said Deborah Royce. “Many of his works portray all levels of society with humorous ‘behind the scenes’ glimpses of café and hotel life. Naturally, these playful pieces fit perfectly into our hotel setting. We are thrilled to share his storied legacy with our valued guests and visitors through this new gallery and the Bemelmans Suite at Ocean House.”
Meanwhile, Bemelmans’ gorgeous murals that he created for La Colombe Bistro in Paris, an eatery he had purchased in 1953, are also on display at the Ocean House.
These murals, created by Bemelmans with wet lime plaster, had, for many years, been featured on the walls of his famous bistro that portrayed his life in the world of hospitality.
Years after Bemelmans’ bistro had shut down, these murals, after having been discovered at a farmhouse outside of Paris, went on to be lovingly restored by Deborah and Charles Royce so that guests of the Ocean House, many of whom visit from all over the world, could enjoy them.
In addition to this incredible body of work by Bemelmans, the Ocean House is also featuring an ongoing exhibition of paintings and other art created by contemporary artists as well as an extensive permanent collection spotlighting renowned artists from the 19th century through the 1990s.
In considering the tremendous legacy, beauty and history of all of this art and the fact that it is being showcased at this unique crown-jewel hotel, a trip there would certainly be well worth the nearly two and a half hours it would take to get there by car from Greenwich, that is for certain.
For more information, please contact the Ocean House at:
Ocean House
1 Bluff Avenue
Watch Hill, Rhode Island 02891
855-678-0364
destinationservices@oceanhouseri.com
