Café Florian in Venice provides the subject matter for John Ward’s latest exhibition at the Fine Art Society (until 9 May). Nearly always a sellout his shows are eagerly awaited and this one proves no exception. He captures the architectural splendour of the café with deft paint strokes. His eye is caught by the movement within and the shifting scenes as groups come and go. His masterful sense of composition and rendering of light install both order and animation to the scenes as Italian family life and the hustle and bustle of tourist groups unfold before him. Ward is equally at home with pastel, oil or watercolour (above, “Waiter at Florian’s”, 2000) and the wide price range, from £3,000 to £18,000, affords scope for the less well-heeled.
originally appeared in The Art Newspaper as 'John Ward'