My Sunday in London was spread over two places, British Museum and The National Gallery. They were both within walking distance to my hotel and I got the bonus of checking out Trafalgar Square in the process. And, I checked out several side streets as I took more than one wrong turn going to and fro. Natch.
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| The National Gallery - London |
Per usual, I rented the audio tour and made my way through the list of highlighted pieces. You can check them out
here if you're interested. Several of them were on loan to other institutions but I did get a feel for the quality of work in the Gallery.
I also learned I was a Philistine. After an hour so, they all really started to look alike to me. Not in subject matter but in "Oh, look another classic painting by a really famous artist. Next!" It was probably a combination of lack of sleep, physical exhaustion (17K steps that day was way above my norm) and frustration with continually getting lost but I was jaded. The thrill was definitely gone.
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I even got lost inside of the Gallery.
I lost count of how many times I ended up in room 11. |
There were definitely moments of awe despite my fatigue. I saw a Sunflower painting by my old Amsterdam buddy, Vincent can Gogh. Great works by Rembrandt, Rubens and Vermeer abounded. Monet and Renoir were well represented, too.
I also saw a LOT of baby Jesus pictures. White baby Jesus, of course.
I took a couple of not very good pictures because it was hard to get dead on with out pushing someone out of the way. Damn tourists, or maybe art students, were plopped in front of every painting, deep in study of the works. Whenever I was tempted to do the same, I felt guilty for blocking someone's view.
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I recognized this guy right away. Maybe because he's the only historical Cardinal I know by name.
Philippe de Champaigne's portrait of Cardinal de Richelieu. |
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I love this style of painting. It has little paintings done exactly in the styles of the original artists.
Like an all in one art exhibit.
This was painted as a jab at collectors who don't share famous works with the people and we're supposed to know that by the monkey in window. At least, that's what the audio tour told me. |
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| If I recall correctly, this is a painting of people looking at paintings in The National Gallery. |
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Trafalgar Square.
No, I wasn't drinking so that's not why it's crooked. I'm not as good with my phone as I am with my camera. |
The National Gallery was not on my bucket list but I'm glad I went. The audio tour was well done and worth the money and there are some fabulous works to admire up close and personal.
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