Richard Dadd’s Sketch of an idea for Crazy Jane, 1855

Twickenham’s stunning Orleans House currently has an excellent Richard Dadd exhibition. Dadd, who famously killed his dad and spent the rest of the life in the mental asylums Bethlem and Broadmoor, painted exquisitely-detailed watercolour paintings of Oriental and religious scenes, portraits and landscapes, fairies and other supernatural beings. Though not containing his most famous fairy painting (The Fairy Fellers’ Master-Stroke, which can be seen at the Tate), it does have much of his other work, including sketchbooks and letters.

Orleans House also has a nice cafe in their converted horse stables, but Orleans park, opposite the gallery and over-looking the Thames, has better views and cheaper coffee in their cafe. Nearby are Marble Hill House and Ham House, but best of all is a stroll or cycle along the Thames towpath on a beautiful autumn Sunday afternoon.

The Richard Dadd exhibition runs until 2 October 2011.

Previously on Barnflakes
Bedlam: The Art of Madness