Gerald Ponting -
writer, publisher, photographer, lecturer,
based in central southern England
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The prehistoric people of Britain were not grunting savages. Archaeologists have found many examples of Neolithic and Bronze Age fine art, but their greatest design of all was Stonehenge.
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After a brief consideration of the prehistoric context of the monument, this presentation concentrates mainly on how Stonehenge has been viewed and represented from the 14th century to the internet age.
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In medieval times, it was thought that Merlin must have been responsible for building it – as shown in a 14th-century illustration.
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The antiquarians John Aubrey and William Stukeley made meticulous measurements and engravings and linked it with Druids.
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Drawings and paintings show that nineteenth century visitors, guided by a resident shepherd-custodian, counted the stones, climbed on them – and attempted to chip off pieces as souvenirs.
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Turner and Constable both painted their impressions of the stones under spectacular skies. Many other artists and photographers also made their very varied interpretations.
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Advertisers and cartoonists have used the iconic shape of Stonehenge in various ways and there have been a number of attempts to create replicas, one composed entirely of crushed cars!
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‘Artists and Antiquarians
at Stonehenge’
An unique slide presentation
by Gerald Ponting
I have photographed Stonehenge on many occasions, but my favourite shots were taken in 1977, a few days off midwinter sunset.
An impression of Stonehenge
as it may have appeared when complete, from a book published in 1831.
Web-site created by Gerald Ponting using Serif WebPlus 9.
Latest revision of this page : November 2005.
