First of all, a belated Happy New Year to all our members, friends and guests!
I know it has been a difficult start to the year for many but let’s hope for a vast improvement as spring arrives!
My first ‘highlight’ in this Critic’s Corner is definitely:
Impressionists on Paper at Royal Academy, Piccadilly, London W1
Having had a particular love of Impressionism for many years I was very anxious to see this exhibition – and was even happy to pay the full price as I am not (currently!) a Friend/Member and none of my contacts (with +1 membership) was available when I wanted to go!
The exhibition is in the lovely Gabrielle Jungels-Winkler Galleries (at the back of Burlington House, on Burlington Gardens), and is relatively ’intimate’ – and certainly not too overwhelming, so can be fitted in if one happens to be dropping by Fortnum’s or St James’s!
There are 77 examples of watercolours, pastels, gouaches, ink/charcoal/pencil/crayons and even oils on paper, by all of the best- and lesser-known Impressionists.
Their fragile condition necessarily means that these works will never be seen on general show, and many are from private collections so are relatively unfamiliar, but this makes them all the more interesting.
For instance, it is fascinating to see how incredibly innovative Degas was in his works – using sometimes brightly coloured paper, newly created paints or combinations of products; Monet – as ever trying to ‘catch the light’ in a particular instant – used pastels while working in Normandy; Van Gogh used pencil, gouache and ink: indeed, there seemed to be endless possibilities for these experimental artists to create new works at speed when they were working en plein air or alfresco!
The results are fascinating and, although this is not perhaps one of those ‘blockbuster’ exhibitions we have enjoyed in London recently, sometimes less is more and I certainly think this very charming exhibition is well worth a visit (and I am definitely planning to return for another look before it closes in early March).
On until 10/March 2024 at Royal Academy – closed Mondays. Tickets £19-21 – with timed entry so pre-booking advisable, but Members/Friends go free.
Holbein at the Tudor Court at Queen’s Gallery, London SW1
At last I have managed to get to this amazing exhibition of drawings and paintings – including a number of stunning miniatures – by the Sixteenth Century German/Swiss painter and printer Hans Holbein the Younger (1497-1543), who originally came to England at the recommendation of Erasmus, who introduced him into Sir Thomas More’s circle at Court. There are many drawings, which look incredibly fresh considering they are nearly 500 years old!
These drawings were generally intended to form the basis for painted portraits (most of which sadly no longer exist), and the attention to detail is fascinating, including handwritten notes as to colours or fabrics to be included; and later on in his career Holbein developed new techniques and prepared the paper by painting it a flesh-coloured pink, then used pencil, ink, crayons or chalks to give the desired effect.
On arrival in England Holbein’s work was immediately seen as inspired and he received numerous commissions to produce portraits of the great and the good of the time: he also seems to have managed to stay on the right side of the King after the Reformation, something that was not the case with a number of his patrons!
There are drawings of Thomas More’s family, possibly three of Henry VIII’s wives, as well as of various courtiers and successful merchants. In addition there are portraits of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Elizabeth I by various artists who were greatly influenced by Holbein and his work, as well as the famous ‘Field of the Cloth of Gold’ and ‘The Battle of the Spurs’, both of which have been beautifully restored (but of course are not actually by Holbein, but rather by groups of painters influenced by his work): there are even items of armour, including one of Henry’s suits of armour (with adjustable straps!) and some gun-shields and hunting knives.
The Royal Collection Trust really does seem to have an endless supply of amazing items dating back centuries, including all sorts of records of purchase, commission etc. The audio guide is very helpful, with interesting items on restoration work, historical details and connections between various items.
On until 14/April 2024 at Queen’s Gallery – closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Tickets £19, but can become free re-admission passes for one year. Free audio guide.
Also, National Art Pass holders get 40% discount on ticket prices and 10% discount in the shop!!
The Wallace Collection at Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1
I was walking down Marylebone High Street – love it as an excellent example of what a High Street should be! – when I realised I had time to stop in at my favourite ‘classic’ arty venue (see my review No.5). The whole magnificent Wallace Collection (even sans The Laughing Cavalier – see my review No.6!) just brings me such joy… and on a wet and windy wintry afternoon who could ask for more?!
Walking through each beautiful room, so stunningly furnished with paintings, furniture, clocks, ceramics, sculptures and with silk wall hangings and drapes, one is transported to another time and place. The attention to detail is amazing – for instance, even the chains on which the paintings are hung are the same colour as the silk on the walls in each room, so as not to detract from the artwork!
As for the artworks themselves, it really is a staggering collection, with multiple examples from almost all the great Old Masters: Rembrandt, Rubens, Titian, Van Dyck, Velázquez, and Canaletto, Murillo, Gainsborough, Reynolds, Boucher, Fragonard, Vigée Le Brun, etc etc! The (largely French) furniture has innovation, practicality and even versatility at its core, with – during February, ‘Open Furniture Month’ – many of the items being opened up to show a variety of uses to which they could be put; the ceramics are amazing in style, substance and rarity; the sculpture adds something to each room: and the clocks! – every type and size (mantel, bracket, cartel, pendulum, even astronomical and musical!), most of them in working order, bring a special ambience to each space!
And there is of course an amazing collection of armoury, although I didn’t have time to go round that part of the Collection on this occasion.
There is a small – free – exhibition (in the Housekeeper’s Room on the Ground Floor) of Watercolours from the Wallace Collection by Turner (1775-1851) and Bonington (1802-1828), which is very poignant: Turner lived to a ripe old age but generally disliked travelling, although he toured Britain and parts of Europe: whereas Bonington died of tuberculosis at 26, having travelled extensively and been an inspiration to Delacroix – who knows what he might have achieved with even an average lifespan.
The shop at Hertford House has a very wide collection of books on all sorts of ‘arty’ subjects: styles, artists, history (British and international): as well as a selection of items suitable for children, friends/family and gifts. Members/Friends get 10% discount in the shop and cafe. There is also a restaurant for a special treat.
Open daily – free! Turner and Bonington is on until 12/May 2024.
Coming soon to the Wallace Collection is Ranjit Singh: Sikh, Warrior, King – from 10/April – 20/October 2024 – definitely one on my ‘To Do List’!
Regent’s Park, London NW1
With Spring hopefully now well on the way, I couldn’t resist a chance to go and see the beautiful Regent’s Park, although sadly it was a little early for the spring bulbs. Nevertheless lots of work has been done by the tireless gardeners and volunteers in the famous rose gardens, with the ground being prepared for many new plants and the promise of another fabulous growing season to come.
In the formal gardens there are a selection of winter-flowering and -scented shrubs, such as mahonia, viburnum, winter box, daphnes and winter honeysuckle; and trees, such as mimosa and winter flowering cherry, and shrubs are already springing back to life after the winter. This process will only gather speed in the coming weeks, so anyone in the area should definitely try to make some time to visit this glorious Royal Park.
Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens too are both starting to bloom with more daffodils, crocuses, primroses, irises and hyacinths appearing every day. At Hyde Park Corner, just to the west of Apsley House (the famous “No.1 London”), a bit of sunshine has resulted in thousands of purple crocuses appearing – they won’t last long but are a delight to see.
In Kensington Gardens both the North and South Flower Walks are becoming more colourful each day, particularly as the days are now lengthening!
Finally, on my ‘wish list’ to do:
Zimingzhong: Clockwork Treasures from China’s Forbidden City at Science Museum, South Kensington, London SW7 – until 2/June 2024(NB! this exhibition requires a pre-booked timed entry and has a ‘pay what you can’ – >£1 – policy)Sargent and Fashion at Tate Britain and Ranjit Singh: Sikh, Warrior, King at Wallace Collectionalong with Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park; Kew Gardens: and RHS Wisley.
Thank you for reading – we look forward to seeing you all soon!
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