This interview was originally published in Canvas, Eton’s boy-led visual arts magazine.
This term, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lady Coleridge, whose presence at Eton brings together an appreciation for beauty, healing, and heritage in the most compelling of ways. As the wife of the Provost, Lady Coleridge resides at the heart of the College and offers a unique perspective on its architectural richness, artistic legacy, and creative spirit. Known also for her work as a writer and energy healer, she brings a deeply intuitive and visually attuned lens to her environment, one that celebrates colour, symbolism, and the joy of thoughtful observation. In our conversation, Lady Coleridge reflected on the hidden details of Eton’s historic buildings, the evolving art within its walls, and the enduring value of creativity in a young person’s life. Her insights are as vibrant and layered as the artworks she admires, and we are delighted to share them.
Eton is a school steeped in architectural and artistic history—do you have a favourite space or building on campus that you find especially inspiring?
Honestly, I find the whole thing so inspiring! I particularly love living in the 15th century cloisters. We are currently in the Vice Provost’s Lodge, so on the way to Chapel, I walk along the Blue Corridor which is lined with two hundred historical portraits. This incredible visual stimulation is arranged chronologically and features a pious engraving of Henry VI. I’ve been so intrigued by all these centuries of faces, that I’ve been doing a bit of research on them. There are all sorts of fascinating characters connected to Eton’s history.
How has living at Eton influenced your perception of art?
I’m quite geographically challenged, I get lost very easily, so I have hung up an Eton map in my kitchen, with little 3D buildings drawn by H.M Wagstaff in 1922. I’m slowly working my way through it and trying to visit them all. Her artistic eye is so helpful, as she makes everything look clear and vivid.
I love the way that being surrounded by beautiful architecture makes me curious, and I’ve gained a huge appreciation for the intricate details of so many Eton buildings. I love the diamond pattern in black bricks on the little castellated building near the Porter’s Lodge. Apparently, it is called a diaper pattern, and now I see it everywhere.
I have never lived anywhere before with so much art on every wall. A stream of wonderful, brand new creations in the Drawing Schools of course, and an abundance of art in every Boarding House and office. The mix of styles and tastes is very stimulating.
Are there any particular artists or works of art that have stayed with you over the years and influenced your outlook on life or healing?
I am drawn to almost any kind of portrait, especially if an artist hints at intriguing layers of the sitter’s character. But I also love artwork with bright colours, as pure pigments have a lot of joy in them. We have just commissioned two enormous paintings of School Yard, on the day that my husband was installed as the Provost. They give a very colourful bird’s eye view of the whole school gathered together. They’re by an artist called Christopher Corr and we’ve collected quite a few of his joyful, naive paintings of India. We’ll be hanging the new ones in the drawing room of the Provost’s Lodge, where they will be a terrific contrast to the classic Georgian leaver’s portraits.
Do you ever create any art yourself? If not, is it something you would like to do in the future?
I haven’t done any painting since I left school. But I love the way that everything seems possible at Eton. So maybe in the future I’ll be creating something in bright colours. Our son Tommy (ASR 2017) was the keeper of the Art Schools and hung out there most of the time, so I’ve got a very soft spot for the building, the staff and the creative atmosphere.
I’m currently doing a fun project, for the kitchen in the Provost’s Lodge. I would love some Delftesque tiles of the most beautiful Eton buildings. Aubrey M (JMOB), the Editor of Canvas, kindly tipped me off about an app called NotQuitePast.com which can create them. So I am taking a lot of photographs, and, with Tommy’s help, playing around with the AI to try and get the effect I want.
How important do you believe the arts are in shaping a young person’s character, especially in an academic environment like Eton?
Well, I think it’s incredibly important for people to find something they’re passionate about. Which makes the world more interesting and vivid and acts as counterbalance to excessive thinking. It doesn’t have to be visual art; some people are inspired by music, others by drama, others by the joy of physically moving their body on the sports field.
But I’m sure one of the reasons Eton attracts the best teachers and the most interesting boys is because it’s so visually stunning. It isn’t trivial to pay attention to one’s surroundings, because good aesthetics can be uplifting. It is really wonderful to live at a school where there is so much beauty.
