Well, today is the official end of summer vacation -- for me, anyway. I go back to work this morning. I'm actually looking forward to returning to routine and helping to get the library settled after our big reorganization. Students won't return for a couple more weeks.
Yesterday, I decided to have a little adventure on my last day of freedom. I went down to the National Gallery to see some art. I don't think I'd been in an art museum since Covid began.
The gallery is hosting an event called "Sketch on the Square" (above) which allows people to sit at outdoor easels overlooking Trafalgar Square and create their own artistic masterpieces.
Admission to the museum is limited to keep the galleries from being too crowded, and of course I'd failed to realize this and book a ticket in advance. Fortunately it's also possible to get a walk-up ticket if there's room, and yesterday, there was.
Everybody loves Canaletto's landscapes (or, more accurately, canalscapes) of Venice (above). I also saw Holbeins, Brueghels, Caravaggios, Rembrandts, Van Goghs, Cezannes and plenty more.
Everybody loves Canaletto's landscapes (or, more accurately, canalscapes) of Venice (above). I also saw Holbeins, Brueghels, Caravaggios, Rembrandts, Van Goghs, Cezannes and plenty more.
Here's Abraham Bloemaert's painting "Lot and his Daughters," from 1624. This one caught my eye not because of the subject matter -- although the story of Lot is certainly dramatic -- but because of a tiny detail at right.
After I wandered around the museum for a couple of hours, I grabbed a sandwich in the cafe and then went walking down The Strand. I wanted to go to Stanley Gibbons, a renowned dealer of collectible stamps, because they recently bought the rarest stamp in the world and have promised to "democratize its ownership" and put it on display. It's not on display yet, but I will definitely check it out when the time comes and may even buy a share. Anyone who collected stamps as a child will recognize that stamp, which is legendary in the world of philately. (You can click the link above to see it.)
I haven't actively collected stamps for years but it was a lot of fun to look around that shop. Maybe one day I'll begin again.
Then I took a long walk from the Embankment all the way to Baker Street, winding through Soho and Marylebone. As you can see above, the crowds are out and about once again in Leicester Square...
...and also in Chinatown. (And everywhere else.) I wasn't too concerned being around people, since we were all outside, and in the museum and in Stanley Gibbons I was masked and pretty much everyone else was too.
And now, I gotta get ready for work!
I haven’t been in a museum since before the pandemic. I’ll give it a few more weeks for the summer people to go home and for things to quiet down. Yours looks like a great day. So much for cleaning up the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lott and his daughters aren’t behaving like a man and his daughter’s should behave. I’ll bet he told his wife, “Honey, on our way out of town, turn around and see what’s going on.”
ReplyDeleteNo, but that's part of the story! Lot's daughters got him drunk and seduced him, and he fathered children by them. (Of course this says a lot about the paternalistic perspective of the Bible!)
DeleteI had no idea! I should have read up on it before commenting. Of course, the rabbi never told us that part in Hebrew school!
DeleteI agree with Mitchell, it's rather disturbing to see an old man half-naked with one of his daughters bare-chested - unless of course the "artist" Abraham Bloemaert was a pervert. I sincerely hope that none of your work colleagues are bare-chested today. It would be terribly distracting.
ReplyDeleteI think it's supposed to be disturbing. What's interesting about these depictions of Lot is that they're all very similar across multiple artists of that period -- Lot and the daughters in amorous embrace, the wife a pillar of salt, the cities burning behind them. If you look up Lot's story on Wikipedia you see lots of similar versions of this same scene. (This is the only one featuring a red admiral, though.)
DeleteI am not familiar with Canaletto's paintings. I like them.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting about the Red Admiral.
There is always something interesting to see in London.
You just had to go through Soho didn't you, just for a look 😜
Canaletto was known for his highly detailed, idealized views of Venice and other cities. They were painted for travelers, at the dawn of the age of tourism. When I'm in the West End I ALWAYS walk through the "gayborhood"!
DeleteThe CROWDS. Last Sunday, in my innocence, I went to IKEA as I need some boxes to tidy my life. Bloody hell. It was bedlam. Cheek by jowl. One look and I fled.
ReplyDeleteI have realized that the two meter distancing habit, swerving out of people's way, will take me one hell of a lot of time to get rid of. Basically, I am on autopilot. It doesn't take long to acquire a habit. How long to shed it?
The butterfly is nice. Haven't seen one in ages despite the fact that Buddleias (Butterfly bushes) are now out in full bloom all around the city.
Sure your library books are glad to have you back for company,
U
I also find myself trying to skirt people on the sidewalk, which is difficult when it's so crowded! Interestingly, I find I'm more conscious of sidewalk space when there are fewer people. I guess when there's a crowd the brain just gives up.
DeleteSketch on the Square sounds like such a great idea. I like anything that brings people to art and creativity, and the chance to express themselves.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I think it's a terrific idea and people are definitely participating.
DeleteI love going through the National Gallery--deciding what galleries to peruse. Hope to get there again in the latter part of October.
ReplyDeleteThe photo of the Swiss glockenspiel in Leicester Square reminds me of when it was actually on the Swiss Centre building (long gone) that used to be on that corner. Had a decent little cafe there back in the late 60s/early 70s.
Good luck getting things reorganized in your new/revised space.
I just sort of wandered through the galleries, but as you may remember, there are prescribed paths to follow if you want something more organized. Hope you can visit as planned!
DeleteBoth times in London I went to the National Gallery and the National Portrait gallery and was gobsmacked at the fantastic art.
ReplyDeleteThe NPG is closed at the moment, I believe -- there's a lot of scaffolding outside and construction going on. But yes, FANTASTIC art, in both places!
DeleteThe story of Lot is one of the most problematic in the Bible if you ask me. From the time the angels appeared to him to when he got his daughters pregnant.
ReplyDeleteYuck.
I do like the butterfly. I hope your first day back at work goes smoothly.
Yuck indeed, Ms Moon. Leaving aside the ethical side of incest, what about biological practicalities? Inbreeding. Once upon a time (I must have been about twelve) we moved house. Our neighbours on one side had two daughters, roughly my younger sister's age. I thought them strange. Vacant. Is it ok to call them imbeciles? There were not two braincells to rub together. My mother who delivers life's lessons in a rather concise way only said, mysterious to me at the time: "What do you expect from a brother and sister coupling?" Does the Bible expand on the fallout of Lot's lusty loins? Let me know.
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Ms Moon: I agree. It's a horrible story, in a book chock-full of horrible stories!
DeleteUrsula: "Imbeciles" is definitely not an OK word! As far as I know, the Bible doesn't mention any issues with Lot's offspring.
Sorry, Steve, never knowingly wishing to offend. Fact is that the word used at the time (well, the equivalent in the motherland's lingo) was far worse than "imbecile". You know, a bit like the "village idiot". In fact having consulted the Thesaurus the English language itself is rich with synonyms for imbecile. Someone, not that long ago, called me an idiot (as they do when you offer a different view to theirs). I took it in my stride since it came from a moron. :)
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I await deletion
DeleteBut that is the most half assed apology ever given
I agree with Ms Moon about Lot. I went to torah study when the kids were in Sunday school rather than drive cross town and drop them off and have to return a half hour later. I was appalled that god thought that lecherous old man who offered his daughters to strangers for sex was the only righteous guy in town. apparently god thought it was just fine for Lot to sacrifice his daughters to keep the angels from interacting with the hedonism in town. when I pointed out that that kind of behavior wasn't considered righteous now the rabbi's reply to everything like that was 'it was a different time'. reading and studying the Torah did the opposite of what it was supposed to do I think. I eschewed all religion soon after that. but yeah, the red admiral is cool. and what a great activity sponsored by the museum!
ReplyDeleteIt IS ironic that Lot was considered so righteous and yet he took that path. Of course, the Bible makes it sound like it's all the daughters' fault.
DeleteIt is nice that you treated yourself on your last free day before work begins again. Hope you have a terrific school year!
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping!
DeleteLove that butterfly. What an interesting addition to that work of art.
ReplyDeleteHope all goes well on your first day back at school. Stay safe there!
We're required to mask for the first three weeks of school. After that, apparently we'll base our decisions on infection rates stand and the official government advice.
DeleteThat's so interesting about the butterfly. Wow, I've never seen that stamp. My hubby used to collect stamps. You have a super day, hugs, Edna B.
ReplyDeleteThat stamp has been featured in many books about stamp collecting. It's quite famous -- that and the "inverted Jenny." (Google it!)
DeleteI hope you've enjoyed your first day back to work! I usually like a return to routine after a long break (but not the getting up and getting ready part - why can't I wrinkle my nose & be dressed and AT the office in a blink?).
ReplyDeleteI don't mind the preparations, but mine might be easier than yours, since I have no hair!
DeleteYeah - hair & makeup ARE VERY ANNOYING! I've thought about just letting my hag light shine, but I can't do it just yet :)
DeleteThat sounds like a lovely way to spend your last "free" day. I'm glad you pointed out the butterfly... I'm not sure I would have noticed it otherwise. Art History was one of my college requirements that I thoroughly enjoyed taking.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason the butterfly leaped right out at me. I always liked art history too. My humanities classes were my favorites in college!
DeleteI loved the little tour around town. I spent a lot of time in that area the last time I was there. I'm not sure I would have noticed that butterfly in the painting. Looking at it now, it seems strange to have it included in this scene. I might have to see if I can find an interpretation.
ReplyDeleteI did look up information on this painting and the only mention of the butterfly is this:
ReplyDelete"The red admiral butterfly hovering above the still life also has Christological implications, for it refers symbolically to the resurrection of the soul."
The painting is apparently on loan from The Leiden Collection in New York and I found a full description on their site. Interesting stuff. Probably more than you wanted to know but, there you have it.
Yes, I did notice it's on loan from the Leiden Collection (whatever that is) but kudos to you for researching the meaning of the butterfly! I wonder if there's something specific about the red admiral that implies resurrection, or would any butterfly have conveyed the same message?
DeleteFurther to Sharon's comment, here is the description of the painting and the implications and interpretation of it, for those who are dismayed by it (as I was at first) - this puts it in a somewhat different light:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.theleidencollection.com/artwork/lot-and-his-daughters/
That's pretty cool about the red admiral being in a painting from so long ago.
Thanks for the link! It's comforting to see that hundreds of years ago the same species were around. Makes us realize the long-term continuity of nature. (Though of course nature is being challenged at the moment.)
DeleteI hope back to work is going well for you and also your colleagues and the students.
ReplyDeleteSo far so good, but it's only been one day and the students aren't even there yet. :)
DeleteOh to be near a Chinatown. I know it's all kitsch but I guess I'm a sucker for it.
ReplyDeleteChinatown is great for photography. There's always a lot of color and interesting street life. And good Chinese food!
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