Wineglasses

John Singer Sargent, 1875

Sorolla

'A Rose Bush at Sorolla's House'

1918-19

 'Types from Salamanca'

1912

'Siesta'

1911

Paintings taken from 'Sorolla: Spanish Master of Light'

An uplifting and inspiring exhibition at The National Gallery at the moment - well worth a visit. I spent a very happy afternoon with the best Senorita I know thinking of many happy times spent in Spain.

Closes 7th July 2019

George Shaw

Slightly dark but interesting paintings by George Shaw at the National Gallery at the moment

Bow shoes

Imagine my happiness this morning when at the National Gallery, I realised my latest shoe purchase would not look out of place on the foot of an early 19th Century landscape painter:

Louis-Auguste Schwiter, 1826-30

Eugene Delacroix

Rembrandt: The Late Works

I've jostled for a place at a free bar and in the queue at the Zara January sale but neither rivals the fierceness of the O.A.P's at the National Gallery earlier this week, who joined me in seeing 'Rembrandt: The Late Works'

 

Self Portrait, drawing on an Etching Plate, 1658

 

The exhibition was packed with avid Rembrandt fans. I experienced a personal first at an exhibition - a gentleman tapping me on the shoulder while I was listening to the audio guide and asking me to explain the painting in front of me. He didn't hang round for long.

 

A Young Woman Sleeping, c.1654

 

The work was varied and interesting - there's obviously a lot to know about Rembrandt. Sounds like he had a pretty eventful (if not tragic) private life alongside his prolific artistic output.

 

Juno, 1662-5

 

I loved Juno's opulent get up in particular.

Rembrandt:The Late Works is on at The National Gallery until January 18th 2015.

 

Pope's Rings II

I often refer back to a blog post I wrote about Raphaels's painting of Pope Julius II, and his amazing rings. This weekend while at the Musee de Cluny in Paris, I saw some real Pope's rings up close and I really wasn't disappointed - they were enormous!!

 

These rings are even older than Raphael's painting and date back to c.1464, taking the trend for statement jewellery back to the 15th Century...

More Ice

In relation to the ice post below:

Tessa with new ring from Shepherd's Bush pawn shop, and necklace from me for her birthday. (Pope Julius would be proud.) This outfit was thrown together in 5 minutes before rushing out the door for lunch, and after a very late night celebrating her birthday, I was in awe.

 

(Quite enjoying 'The Killing' box set - yet to be watched - propped up outside Tessa's room)

Pope's Rings

After work today I walked over speedily to the National Gallery before it closed for the evening. As it is a Sunday I thought I might as well look at something religion related.

 

Portrait of Pope Julius II, 1511 Raphael

I remember this from school and the same Art History teacher I've mentioned before, gesticulating excitedly in front of it. The bit that sticks in my mind is her enthusiasm and wonder over the softness of Julius' beard. It does look pretty soft to the touch when you're up close. Apparently from 1511 Pope Julius wore a beard as a sign of mourning at having lost the city of Bologna.

What I really loved this evening were his rings:

 

I love cramming lots of ring onto my fingers and am very sentimental about the 3 I always wear, all heirlooms and gifts. Julius is doing pretty well here, wearing several big cut jewels set in gold next to each other.

Mid-Week

I was early for my mid-week shift at work today, so walked along to the National Gallery to burn time. These were my picks of the flying visit:

 Ulyssess deriding the Polyphemus - Homer's Odyssey, Turner, 1829

The Immaculate Conception, Diego Velazquez, 1618-19

Water Lilies, Setting Sun, Claude-Oscar Monet, c.1907

Maybe a slightly random choice of paintings, certainly chronologically, but I enjoyed them nonetheless.

Also of note:

Mini ballet shoes at a Dance shop on Cecil Court

And

Poor George Peabody, sporting a cone hat which he definitely didn't put there himself. (The guy in the yellow jumper was furious).