Freed From Time

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Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, Fox and Flowers

Tower Hamlets Cemetery was opened in 1841 and its last use was in 1966. It is now a lightly managed woodland, a nature reserve and has an ecology center. It is the only woodland for miles and comes complete with many cheeping birds, squirrels and the occasional fox. About Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park ⇒.

The park is located just south of Mile End underground station (on exiting the station turn right then second right onto Southern Grove and the park gates further down on the left).

The above are artificial (fooled me).

These are just outside the southern railings.

More from Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park in spring with squirrels ⇐.

Posted by Graham in Hats | April 17, 2016 | Categories: Animals, East London, Flora, Flowers, Photography, places to photograph in london, Places to Visit, Travel, uk, Wildlife | Tags: cemetery, fox, graveyard, poppy, woodland | 2 Comments

Super Bubbles on London’s South Bank

Alien Relaxes Under Duvet

Along London’s South Bank there are a variety of street performers including singers, performance artists and bubbleeers. Here are some pics of amazing bubbles outside the Tate Modern Art Gallery. Being outside a modern art gallery, I’ve added a little whimsy. 😀

A little dog defends the world from bubbles by giving them a good barking at. Job done, he then had little snooze.

Lifeboat Emerges From Jelly World

Prehistoric Alligator Gives Large Frog a Ride

Swimmer Leaps Out of Water – Frightened by Prehistoric Alligator

Jumbo Jet

Jumbo Jet Makes Emergency Landing on Massive Bubble Bath – Frightens Prehistoric Alligator – Frog’s Had Enough and Goes Home on Bus

Well, might have. 😀

Posted by Graham in Hats | April 12, 2016 | Categories: Art, Central London, Photography, places to photograph in london, Places to Visit, South London, uk | Tags: bubbles, south bank, southbank, street performers, super bubbles, tate modern | 10 Comments

The Tate Modern Gallery

The Tate Modern (website) occupies a huge building on London’s South Bank amongst a cluster of other venues, including the Globe Theatre. It’s contents can be classified generally as modern art but does include some items of past political and ideological interest.

I was disappointed at the absence of poster, record cover and street art but there is a breadth of other items and probably something to suit most tastes. I’ve tried to include a broad mix of items that I like and those that I do not. Taste is a very personal choice and, I think, not a matter for value judgements (they thought so too and wouldn’t let me take my angle-grinder in 🙂 ).

The venue is free to enter and photography is permitted except in some of the exhibitions. Further up river is the Tate Britain with a mix of classical paintings and some modern art sculpture.

Tate Modern – Winnie Mandela

For a closer view, click on the image and then again to magnify.

This is half of an installation in progress. The other half is the same but faces the other way with a platform in between and will be “A live art game for children and adults”.

Tate Modern – Salvador Dali – Autumnal Canibbalism

Tate Modern – Pablo Picasso – Weeping Woman

Tate Modern – Gerhard Richter

I did find that many of the larger works were better viewed at a distance and hence very effective when seen in the smaller scale of a photograph.

Tate Modern – Gerhard Richter

Tate Modern – Lee Bul – Untitled (Cravings White)

I’ve included this as an example of post-modern existentialist irony. That is, there is a sign outside the exhibition room that says “NO PHOTOGRAPHY” and me with no angle-grinder. Some people have no sense of humour.

Posted by Graham in Hats | April 10, 2016 | Categories: Art, Central London, Free, london, Photography, places to photograph in london, Places to Visit, Travel, uk | Tags: gallery, gerhard richter, lee bul, modern art, pablo picasso, salvador dali, winnie mandela | 8 Comments

Southwark Cathedral Interiors, Stained Glass and Legend

21 pics. Southwark Cathedral has some of the finest stained glass that I’ve seen anywhere. It is free to enter and a non-commercial photographers permit/sticker can be purchased from the shop for £2.50. The Wiki hiistory is here and the cathedral’s website is here.

The site of Southwark Cathedral has been a place of worship for more than a 1000 years and has a curious legend attached to its origins (see below). It is is very close to London Bridge Station and near to Bankside, The South Bank, The New Globe Theatre, The Tate Modern and many other venues of interest (South Bank Attractions »).

Beside the cathedral is the Borough food market where one can purchase almost anything from Falafel to Thai food.

For a closer view please click on an image and then again to magnify.

Southwark Cathedral End of Nave and Font

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Southwark Cathedral Choir and Sanctuary

Southwark Cathedral Sanctuary

Stained Glass

Restored by Harvard Alumni after WWII bomb damage

Artifacts

The site of the original Globe Theatre is nearby and William Shakepeare lived in the parish for several years.

This is the cathedral’s present owner. Well, he thinks he is and that he put the cat in cathedral. 🙂 .

“Everybody else is having a lie down so why not me”. 🙂

The Legend of Mary Ovarie

Not far from the cathedral, on Bankside, there is a replica of Drake’s ship the Golden Hinde. Beside the ship is a stone tablet with the strange legend of Mary Ovarie and the origins of Southwark Cathedral.

You can click on the image to expand and magnify, but some of the writing is a little faded so it is reproduced below.

“Legend suggests that before the construction of London Bridge in the tenth century a ferry existed here. Ferrying passengers across the River Thames was a lucrative trade. John Overs who, with his watermen and apprentices, kept the “traverse ferrie over the Thames”, made such a good living that he was able to acquire a considerable estate on the south bank of the river.

John Overs was a notorious miser and devised a plan to save money. He would feign death believing that his family and servants would fast out of respect and thereby save a day’s provisions. However, when he carried out the plan, the servants were so overjoyed at his death that they began to feast and make merry. In a rage the old man leapt out of bed to the horror of his servants, one of whom picked up a broken oar and “thinking to kill the Devil at the first blow, actually struck out his brains”.

The ferryman’s distressed daughter Mary sent for her lover, who in haste to claim the inheritance fell from his horse and broke his neck. Mary was so overcome by these misfortunes that she devoted her inheritance to founding a convent into which she retreated.

This became the priory of Saint Mary Overie, Mary having been made a saint on account of her charity. During the Reformation the church of St Mary Overie was renamed St Saviour’s Church. In 1905 it became Southwark Cathedral and the collegiate church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie.”

Well, would you Adam and Eve it.

Posted by Graham in Hats | April 8, 2016 | Categories: Art, Central London, History, Photography, places to photograph in london, Places to Visit, Travel, uk | Tags: bankside, edward stuart talbot, harvard alumni, mary ovarie, south bank, Stained Glass, william shakespeare | 4 Comments

In All Their Glory

Saints Genevieve and Appollonia and Saints Christina and Ottilia by Lucas Cranach the Elder at the National Gallery

11 pics. Paintings on this blog have been enhanced a little to compensate for lighting/age, but not so much that a visitor to the venue would be disappointed by the original. However, the camera can show what time has hidden. In turn, that shows why some of these works began with such renown. A renown that they carried forward into the present, even as they lost their original appearance.

Here is an attempt to show each of these pictures at their best. Mostly by extraction of detail from darkened areas together with a little colour enhancement.

To view the detail, please click on an image and then again to magnify.

Elizabeth I by Steven van Herwijck at the Tate Britain

This one particularly caught my eye because the artist had managed to capture the texture and shading of a velvet dress. We take for granted that such can be shown in a photograph, but to do so with paint is a marvelous achievement.

The Fighting Temeraire by Joseph Mallord William Turner at the National Gallery

Turner’s work is more evocative than detailed, but it does capture one’s senses.

Seaport with the Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba by Claude at the National Gallery

The Decline of Carthage by Turner at the Tate Britain

Market Scene by Night by Petrus van Schendel at the Queen’s Gallery

I chose this one because the candle flare, the glow on the faces and shadowy figures in the background all add to a sense of being there.

A Village Revel by Jan Steen at the Queen’s Gallery

Every face has an expression that could tell a tale. Especially ‘im with the cheeky grin at the bottom.

The Horses of Achilles in the style of Anthony van Dyke at the National Gallery

A mythical horse followed by a mythical lady. Both may attune to our extra senses.

The Lady of Shalott by John William Waterhouse at the Tate Britain

The Lady of Shalott has been brought out just enough to see the depth of paint used for the texture of the background trees. Perhaps what is so striking about this work is how Waterhouse used variations of colour intensity to draw one’s eye to the central scene then more to the lady and then yet more to her face. A face and expression which well suits the story in the poem ⇒ .

Carnival Masks at the Winter Wonderland Hyde Park

The designer of these will probably never know such acclaim as those above. But I think, in good company with all those who care about their work and try to create something for the enjoyment of others.

Thanks for the visit and I hope you found it pleasing to your eye.

More artwork (all free to visit) at the National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Tate Britain, Wallace Collection and Kenwood House. There is also the Queen’s Gallery which does charge for entry.

Posted by Graham in Hats | April 3, 2016 | Categories: Art, History, Photography, uk | Tags: Carnival Masks, elizabeth I, Jan Steen, John William Waterhouse, Lucas Cranach the Elder, Paintings, Petrus van Schendel, Steven van Herwijck, The Lady of Shalott, Turner | Leave a comment

The Lady of Shalott

The Lady of Shalott poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson was the inspiration for the painting of the same name by John William Waterhouse here ⇒. The poem was loosely based upon the tragic Arthurian legend of Elaine of Astolat ⇒. There is an 1833 version and an 1842 version of the poem. This is the latter.

The poem includes the phrase “The mirror crack’d from side to side” which was used for the title of a Miss Marple murder mystery by Agatha Christie.

Posted by Graham in Hats | March 31, 2016 | Categories: Art, History, Stories | Tags: alfred lord tennyson, arthurian, elaine of astolat, lady of shalott poem, romances | 10 Comments

The Tate Britain Art Gallery

20 pics. The Tate Britain contains a wide range of artwork ranging from the classical to modern. It includes the Lady of Shalott by John William Waterhouse, which was inspired by the poem of Alfred Lord Tennyson (here ⇒) and worth reading. The Tate Britain’s Website ⇒

I’ve introduced a little enhancement to compensate for the loss of colour/detail over time, but not so much as to lose the sense of age. More advanced digital restoration of these pictures and a few more from other galleries can be found at In All Their Glory ⇒ .

There are several works by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood ⇒ which I particularly like for there vibrancy and detail which requires a patience born of dedication.

Edward Coley Burne-Jones

The Wedding of St George and Princess Sabra by Rossetti

And, more historical works.

Elizabeth I by Steven van Herwijck

There are more paintings of Elizabeth I, together with their subtle meanings, at Hatfield House.

The Tate includes an entire wing dedicated to Turner. Here are just a few.

Turner Self Portrait

Palestrina – Composition by Turner

The Decline of the Carthage by Turner

And, a good many items of classical appearance.

George Bernard Shaw

“What do you think of all this modern art then”. “Don’t ask me, I prefer heavy-metal, although I suppose Cranach the Elder wasn’t bad”.

“Some days one wonders if it’s worth getting out of bed”.

“Ow, my eye”.

“Last time I take you down the pub”.

Peace.

And the dark shape just below is ~.

Thank you for coming and a drum roll for our next visit.

Posted by Graham in Hats | March 31, 2016 | Categories: Art, Central London, History, Photography, places to photograph in london, Places to Visit, uk | Tags: classical art, gallery, lady of shalott, modern art, Paintings, pre-raphaelite, rossetti, Turner | 8 Comments

Wallace Collection Armoury

14 pics. Part of the Wallace Collection which also contains many notable works of art.

The armoury is on the ground floor. I suppose, for the gentry, such items were as much a statement of status as utilitarian. There purpose may not be so admirable to a more enlightened world but the workmanship, its alternate uses and the attendant history are best not forgotten.

There is more of this past and extraordinary workmanhip at the Tower of London/White Tower.

Henry IV’s Parrying Dagger

Posted by Graham in Hats | March 30, 2016 | Categories: Central London, History, museums, Photography, places to photograph in london, Places to Visit, Travel, uk | Tags: armour, axes, daggers, helmets, henry IV, museum, swords | 5 Comments

Wallace Collection Ornaments

First Floor Gallery

18 pics. Some of the artifacts from the Wallace Collection (click here for more pictures and information). To see the detail, please click on an image and then again to magnify.

Jérôme Bonaparte was Napoleon’s younger brother, who Napoleon made king of the fabricated realm of the Kingdom Westphalia (not quite the same as Westphalia). It was created as part of ending the 30 years war and a model for the respect of sovereignty. The realm and monarchy lasted for about six years (maybe the clue is in the phonetics) but served its purpose.

“With this little spout, I feel like a small duck”. “Oh alright, you can have one for Christmas.” 😀

On The Ground Floor Armoury

More of the armoury here ⇒

Posted by Graham in Hats | March 27, 2016 | Categories: Art, Central London, museums, Photography, places to photograph in london, Places to Visit, Travel, uk | Tags: cameos, gold statuette, ornaments, ornate cup, ornate vase, tazza | 4 Comments

The Wallace Collection

20 pics. Some of the items from the extraordinary Wallace Collection. Displayed at Hertford House in the heart of London (see Google maps), the collection was bequeathed to the nation by Lady Wallace in 1897 and is free to enter. As well as the sample items below, the collection also includes an extensive armoury and a number of beautiful gold, silver and glass ornaments. And, here is the The Wallace Collection Website.

Among the paintings can be found two paintings by Titian, five Rembrandts, nine Rubenses, four Van Dycks, eight Canalettos, nineteen Bouchers, masterpieces by de Hooch, nine Teniers, Frans Hals, nine Murillos, two Velázquez and paintings by Domenichino, Cima, Daddi, Reni, Rosa, Thomas Gainsborough, Joshua Reynolds, Antoine Watteau, Nicholas Lancret, Jan Steen, Aelbert Cuyp and nine Guardis. More information at the Wiki entry.

To view the amazing craftsmanship in more details, please click on an image and then again to magnify, Enjoy :-).

The Laughing Cavalier by Frans Hals. Famous for his broad hat 😀 .

Rebecca and Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert by Léon Cogniet. A little enhanced to compensate for the fading effect of age.

At the siege of the castle of Torquilstone the beautiful Rebecca, daughter of Isaac the Jew, is abducted by the Norman Templar, Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert (he’s the one with the templar cross on his tunic). Ulrica, an old Saxon woman who had set fire to the castle, exalts in her vengeful fury at the top of the distant tower.