… capturing the luminosity of childhood …
Compton Verney excels at finding a fresh angle and by gathering a wonderful selection of art to create an absorbing, worthwhile exhibition. The spread of the show starts with a very fine Hans Holbein‘s preparatory sketch Continue reading “Painting Childhood: From Holbein to Freud : Compton Verney”
… tiny fire crackers of colour & astonishing detail …
Tucked into a pocket or worn next of the heart, Queen Elizabeth keep them wrapped in tissue in a cabinet, the language of miniatures has always been an intimate affair. Created for love, diplomacy and remembrance these limnings of Hilliard and Oliver display exquisite details and jewel like colours. Withe their roots in illuminated manuscripts, the size of these watercolours draws you in, making you concentrate to appreciate every detail. This attention creates an intimacy not Continue reading “Elizabethan Treasures : National Portrait Gallery”
… delightful, hands on wander through c20th design …
Housed in one of the original workshops, the Gordon Russell Design Museum is a hands on experience. You can pull back and admire the smooth delivery of a drawer, peek inside the dressing tables and stroke the veneer Continue reading “Three Favourites from the Gordon Russell Design Museum”
… jewel like illustrations & quixotic ideals …
One of the most important private presses of the Arts and Crafts movement, the Essex House Press was part of the Guild of Handicraft from 1898 when CR Ashbee bought the Kelmscott Presses from William Morris‘ Estate Continue reading “Essex House Press : Court Barn Museum”
… fascinating and thought provoking …
This is a fascinating and engaging account of turning a 1400 hectare West Sussex estate into a wild nature reserve.
Passionate, detailed and thought provoking, Isabella argues Continue reading “Wilding : Isabella Tree”
… some astonishing works amongst the usual suspects …
Yes, I know all his portraits look the same (as Henry James put it: “this languishing type … which savours of monotony”) and walking from room to room can be a little like scoffing a whole box of chocolates BUT to see the two iconic series, Briar Rose and Perseus, Continue reading “Edward Burne-Jones : Tate Britain”
… tremendously satisfying urban fantasy …
The detective is one of the Wild Folk, hurting and lonely in the city of an Olde London where magic reigns. Her apprentice is a Bird Shaman. They need to solve the murder and work out how the justice system can be corrupted before an innocent man is executed. They have five days.
Fallible Justice is a joy to read: intriguing characters and deft world building Continue reading “Fallible Justice : Laura Laakso”
A fascinating show of Whistler’s more intimate art …
Westgate. Signed with the butterfly monogram. Copyright : V&A.
Say the name: James Abbott McNeill Whistler and to most it will conjure up a series of almost abstract experiments he called “Nocturnes” or his famous portrait of his mother or perhaps, at a push, his society portraits. This exhibition changes all that for me. He really was such an extraordinaire painter and his watercolour sketches have completely Continue reading “Whistler and Nature : Compton Verney”
… speeches glitter in the rust …
A high spirited production by RSC veteran Gregory Doran which brings out the best in this most conflicted of Shakespeare’s plays.
In a Mad Max-ian theatre of mis-matched armour and steampunk motorbikes, the glittering speeches of truth and power are spoken against Continue reading “Troilus and Cressida : RSC”
Rigg's Cabinet of Curiosities 