Piero della Francesco will always stand out in my memory of studying the History of Art at Oxford University. In the first module of the first term of the Certificate course we listened to the wonderful Mary Acton explaining how to look at paintings. She used a number of themes to illustrate her lectures: composition, space,…
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Piero della Francesca and the ‘art’ of Looking at Art.
Piero della Francesco will always stand out in my memory of studying the History of Art at Oxford University. In the first module of the first term of the Certificate course we listened to the wonderful Mary Acton explaining how to look at paintings. She used a number of themes to illustrate her lectures: composition, space,…
More about the Bayeux Tapestry loan to the U.K.
The Bayeux Tapestry comes to the U.K. next year. In my last post, that you all enjoyed, judging by the feedback, I said the loan would be this year. It is actually planned for 2022. So sorry about that. I am not guilty of peddling Fake News, just happen to have made a mistake. Anyway…
The Bayeux Tapestry and the demise of King Harold in 1066
The Bayeux Tapestry is represented in my new header image. This wonderful example of Norman Romanesque art portrays the story of William of Normandy (The Conqueror) and the English Kings, Edward the Confessor and Harold Godwin. The scenes portray the intrigue of eleventh century politics culminating in Harolds demise at the Battle of Hastings in…
Art Deco illustration for New Years Eve
My last post of the year and what a year! Normally I would describe a piece of attributed art with an interesting history of iconography, or a serious exhibition. But for this one off post I will just use this gorgeous Art Deco illustration of ‘The New Years Eve Ball. The delightful little illustration reminds…
The apprentice sculptor who became a great Renaissance mathematical painter
Landscape paintings are always my favourite when it comes to headers for my blog site. And there can be no more evocative wide paintings than the three depictions of the Battle of San Romano by Paulo Uccello. And how about the locations for these great works: The National Gallery in London, The Galleria degli Uffizi…
An epic Polish painting of the Astronomer Copernicus at the National Gallery next year
Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) is one of the greats from my youth. Understanding the solar system was well established by the time I went to school, so it was hardly pioneering science anymore. But understanding the history of how people like Copernicus and Galileo took their investigations away from the flat earth centric zealots of the…
Value or Devalue
Ed Sheehan is a truly great superstar. As a singer songwriter there is no match in recent years. So I was interested in his recent sale which raised £400,000 to support children and young people with disabilities and life-limiting illnesses. A brilliant and thoroughly worthwhile achievement. The Ed Sheehan: Made in Suffolk Legacy Auction contained…
November Painting of the Month – Remembrance
Remembrance Sunday is such an important event in our calendar. Not for its reference to war but to remember and honour human sacrifice. Even with our troubled present we are fortunate in Europe for those who paid the highest price for our freedom and Liberty. The Imperial War Museum has a wonderful collection of art…
Vermeer in Dresden in 2021
The Semper Gallery in Dresden has announced a super exhibition for 2021. Open from 19th March until 27th June, the exhibition will be displaying twelve Vermeer paintings in its recently refurbished galleries. In addition will be works by other Dutch greats such as Pieter de Hooch and Gerald Dou. Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) is one of…
