Portrait of a Peacemaker
John Washington’s working drawing in preparation for his painting of a famous episode in Roger Conant’s life I’ve always loved the idea of America as a refuge for the persecuted peoples of the Old World, a place where 18 th century ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity would flourish, and where justice for all was seen as fundamental to society. So for all admirers of America and what that great country should represent for the world the current news from across the Atlantic is understandably distressing. I’d like to think that celebrating the life of Roger Conant - a peacemaker from America’s history – may be seen as an antidote to the bad news. And now, thanks to Budleigh artist John Washington, our East Budleigh-based Conant 400 Group has a wonderful project. It’s the painting of a famous episode of 1625 in the life of this Massachusetts pioneer who was celebrated for his meticulous honesty, his attitude of tolerance and conciliation, and what...