The National Gallery – London – UK
The Horses of Achilles in the style of Anthony van Dyke
The National Gallery (London UK) is adjacent to Trafalgar Square ⇐, St Martin in the Field ⇐ and the National Portrait Gallery ⇐. Entrance is free and you may photograph (no flash or tripod). You can also download images but with very limited use. The website is here ⇒.
Paintings like these provide an insight into past life, attitudes, stories and legends. Many show the enormous skill of the artists. All have been brightened a little to compensate for the low lighting and fading/darkening of paint. You might also like a selection of digitally enhanced versions that try to show their original vibrancy here ⇐.
The National Gallery Entrance (London)
The Fighting Temeraire by Joseph Mallord William Turner
The Virgin and Child with Saints by Lorenzo Costa and Gianfrancesco Maineri
Saints Christina and Ottilia by Lucas Cranach the Elder
Saints Genevieve and Appollonia by Lucas Cranach the Elder
Adriana van Heusden and her Daughter at the New Fish Market in Amsterdam by Emanuel de Witte
Seaport with the Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba by Claude
Dutch Vessels Close Inshore at Low Tide and Men Bathing by Wilem van de Velde
Infant St John with the Lamb by Bartoleme Esteban Murillo
London Interior of the Rotunda at Raneleigh by Canaletto
Phillip th IV Hunting Wild Boar by Diego Valazquez
Eaton College
National Gallery Portico – London
Twas the Night before Christmas
“Twas the Night before Christmas” or “A Visit from St Nicholas”. The complete poem by Clement Clarke Moore first published in 1823 and the first time that St Nicholas was associated with a sleigh and reindeers. It is a real joy to read.
Brighten the Day – Bubblemania
Four morphed bubble pictures (a little colour for your holidays) 😀 and Merry Christmas to you all.
Creative Commons: Available free for non-commercial use.
A Christmas Story – Oops
Twas the day before the night before Christmas and all through the city twas well. Then it got silly.
Advertising in the Age of Innocence ? No 2
11 Signs found at the Bekonscot Model Village⇐ at Beaconsfield. The other vintage signs are here ⇐ .
These advertising signs seem so simple compared with modern sophistry. Perhaps they are no less clever than those of present time but reflect an appeal to simpler desires and attitudes compared with today. Which do you find persuasive ?
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The Royal Mews
10 pics and the best is last. I thought a Royal Mews would have cats deep in thought but it turns out to be coaches. The one above is the “Glass Coach” and was used for royal marriages, including our own Queen Elizabeth II.
The Royal Mews can be found at the southern wall of Buckingham Palace (near Victoria Station) beside the Queens Gallery and you can photograph in both. Nearby are the State Rooms, where photography is not allowed. There are also some very royal gift shops,
And, there’s a green one,
And, Vorsprung durch Technik,
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This is a Donkey Barouche. Although it would probably look prettier with a donkey sitting in it. 🙂
I thought I might borrow this for Christmas. I’m sure they wouldn’t notice. It would make a great tankard full of amber foaming beer for quaffing.
And, here’s my ride. Cinderella would have been jealous.
I think the coachmen turn back into corgis at midnight. 🙂
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Oh poop, I got caught and put in jail. I’m being held for ransom. Help ! Send mince pies and brandy or it’s jingly bell sleigh duty for me.
The Builders
Many of the posts here, are to show the fabulous achievements of past builders, makers, artisans and artists. They gave us the world that we live in but very few are remembered by name. Here and there can be seen works that commemorate their efforts.
Above is “The Unknown Navvy” (navigator) by Anthony Stones which is currently at Gerrards Cross rail station just outside London.
Below is “The Building Worker” by Alan Wilson which can be found just north of the Tower of London beside the main road. Its plaque reads:-
“For the thousands of building workers who have lost their lives at work, we commemorate you”.
“For the thousands of building workers who are today building and rebuilding towns and cities across the United Kingdom, we celebrate you”.
St Martin in the Field
St Martin in the Field is right beside Trafalgar Square and is notable for its concerts. The lunchtime concerts are free and tickets for evening concerts can be booked in advance. The acoustics are truly remarkable and the choir I heard rehearsing were a real wonder. More here ⇒
You might notice the unusual window that appears to be distorted around the light fitting. That is its real shape. More about the window here ⇒ and listen to the choir below. 🙂
Freed From Time 