Bilbao has transformed over the last thirty years from a city dependent on trade and heavy industry to become a modern cultural capital. We visited the Guggenheim, Frank Gehry’s masterpiece, last time here and decided on the Museo de la Belles Artes this time. There was an exhibition of the Spanish artist, Ignacio Zuloaga, not…
September Painting of the Month (2)
Spanish culture. This month I have decided to have a second painting of the month from the rich base of Spanish art. We have been touring some of the Northern regions of Spain. Having left Catalunya far behind we are now in the Basque Country. Ramiro Arrue’s Yo ou le Fandango is a Basque gem….
Pamplona Cathedral
Pamplona. Famous or infamous for its bull run in early July, when six bulls are released in the town and run through the streets to the bull ring. A bonkers cruel tradition (as is bullfighting) which the council would like to see as a minor distraction to an otherwise very interesting city. The capital of…
Casa Milà – Barcelona
Barcelona is a great city to visit, especially since it’s rejuvenation following the 1992 Olympics. It is a dream for followers of modern architecture and public art. There are so many iconic buildings to visit, but unfortunately long queues so it is worth being organised and plan ahead. La Pedrera or the Casa Milà was…
Narbonne
Narbonne is originally a Gallo Roman town on the canal de La Robine but also has a significant historic medieval and baroque centre. The cathedral of St Just et St Pasteur is particularly interesting comprising a choir, sanctuary, and apse ambulatory only. The gothic choir is stunning though and at over 130 feet high matches…
Lagrasse – SW France
Lagrasse is an artist’s delight with views around every corner. It is an old Cité and its Abbaye was one of the richest and important in Medieval France, founded by the authority of Charlemagne, no less, in the ninth century. It was given much land and concessions as a Benedictine house and had a very…
Catalan Painting of the Month
We have arrived into the Catalan region of Spain and cannot help but notice the politics, from the emphasis of the Catalan language to the myriads of flags hanging everywhere, even painted into the road surfaces. Looking around for a fairly neutral painting is quite difficult but I found this from the, originally New York…
Keith Haring – Liverpool
London buses. There used to be an expression along the lines of “you wait ages for a red bus and then two come along together. I feel a little like that with “stick man” art. Having enjoyed the A R Penck show at The Ashmolean, my next trip was to Tate Liverpool for Keith Haring….
A R Penck – Oxford
The Ashmolean in Oxford occasionally holds free small exhibitions, which are always worth a visit. On my recent visit (The Forest Fire) I caught up with A R Penck. The exhibition ‘I Think in Pictures’ is the first UK show of this distinctive, energetic artist for nearly thirty years. A R Penck is, of course,…
More on The Forest Fire
More on the The Forest Fire, my Painting of the Month, by Piero di Cosimo in The Ashmolean, Oxford Much has been written of this Renaissance masterpiece. The gallery notes attributes the theme to a reading of De Rerum Natura (on Nature), an epic first century poem by the Roman, Lucretius. The theme of the…
