The painting Foam Horses by Lucy Kemp-Welch on show at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery has an interesting caption.
The note next to the 1896 painting suggests that the three horses battling with sea waves was inspired by the sight of cavalry horses being exercised on the beach ‘at Parkstone’.
Does this mean Canford Cliffs? Or on the beach near Flag Head Chine?
The picture is part of the museum’s winter exhibition called Dangerous Women! From Kauffman to Emin.
Also featured is work by Lady Waterford who spent half of every year at Highcliffe Castle, Helen Allingham who lived at Lymington and Leslie Ward who recorded Robert Louis Stevenson’s Westbourne house.
The exhibition continues until Sunday 8 March.
The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum is on the coast path at the start of the East Cliff near Bournemouth Pier.
In winter entry is free so you don’t have to make a ‘donation’ as suggested by welcoming staff. But you will probably want to buy something in the shop or eat in the cafe which is  good place to stop at on a walk.
