Why is this painting so special to Stoneywell?
Beyond it's immediate beauty, this painting shows Sydney Gimson in a very good light and is another example of his philanthropic character.
There are two smaller but similar works on the opposite wall of the nursery. During the First World War Sydney was very involved in helping Belgian refugees who had fled the German advance in 1914. Assistance was given to more than one thousand in Leicester alone, with one hundred houses being given over to refugees. Because they were of several different faiths, it was decided least controversial to appoint Sydney - a professional atheist - to undertake this pastoral work. Sydney's work was recognised by the award of the Albert Medal from H.M the King of the Belgians, Albert I.