Léonor-Jo Barnard

Thesis title: Thomas Hardy’s Artistic Influences: Nature, Colour and Impression.

Supervisor: Professor Stefano Evangelista

Research interests: Victorian literature, visual perception, literature and visual culture, art theory,  environmental studies, the portrayal of landscapes in literature, Victorian emotion.

Doctoral research: My research involves a comprehensive exploration of the nuanced relationship between visual perception, artistic representation, and literary expression, focusing on Hardy’s artistic education. Specifically, it examines Hardy’s exploration of landscape depiction and human presence within different types of landscapes as influenced by his engagement with the writings of John Ruskin. Beyond merely analysing Hardy’s artistic techniques, my thesis aims to enrich our understanding of the ecological and eco-critical dimensions of nature, shedding light on the intricate connections between literature, art, and the environment.

My thesis highlights the interplay between Hardy’s writing style, influenced by his engagement with the visual arts, and the portrayal of specific landscapes (seascapes, vegetation, hillscapes, and skyscapes…), thereby shaping the narrative structure. It will also study how Hardy’s use of colour in describing the settings evokes distinct art practices and styles that Hardy was acquainted with.

Conference Papers: 

"Exploring Hardy’s Visual Archives: Landscapes in A Pair of Blue Eyes." The 26th International Thomas Hardy Conference and Festival, Dorchester, July 2024.

"Victorian Literature and Visual Culture: The Colour Debates of the 19th-century." Saint Edmund Hall Academic Seminar, Oxford University, Saint Edmund Hall, March 2023.