I had a fairly inspirational morning at an appointment in Pall Mall today which finished around lunch time so I decided to take a scenic walk back to the office. As I’m rarely in Trafalgar Square on foot I couldn’t help but spend a few minutes in the National Gallery…
I do love a nice wander around a gallery and one thing I miss about the days I used to work in London Bridge, (aside from the pecan pies from Borough Market) is visiting the Tate Modern to see my favourite paintings and installations.
So anyway on my quick retreat I thought I’d see what I could find to tickle my intrigue and give my imagination a gentle nudge. It turned out to be quite enjoyable so I thought I’d share I found… Oh and quick disclaimer I am no art critic but I do appreciate it.
A Wheatfield With Cypresses by Vincent Van Gogh in 1889
The above painting is located alongside Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers piece but I have to say I liked this more. Not surprising really as it does all kinds of wonderful things to that part of me that is dreading the stretch of winter that lies ahead before summer comes round again.
An Experiment On A Bird In The Air Pump by Joseph Wright Of Derby in 1768
You have to be in the room looking at this picture. Though I liked the reactions to the bizarre experiment being carried out, what really captured me was the dramatic light and shade and the invisible brush strokes that give it such an amazing photographic quality. If I had more time I could have stood there for a little while. There’s so much attention to detail.
Coffee at the Cottage Delight by Clive Head in 2010
Clive Head features in a new exhibition at the National Gallery which I think runs till November 28. It’s small and the admission is free so I still say check it out if you can. I love the texture of this work too. And the scene caught in this picture, the expressions on people’s faces, their postures, it was just so familiar and caught perfectly. A great find and I’m glad I got to see it.
So do you have any favourite art pieces or places you don’t mind getting a little lost in for an afternoon?
