Set in beautiful landscaped parkland high on the north edge of Hamstead Heath, KENWOOD HOUSE is one of the most magnificent visitor attractions in London. This elegant Palladian villa was remodeled in the 18th century (1764-1779) by ROBERT ADAM and today houses a superb collection of paintings including masterpieces by REMBRANDDT, VERMEER, TURNER, AND GAINSBOROUGH as well as the SUFFOLK COLLECTION of rare ELIZABETHAN PORTRAITS.
Vermeer
The great SELF PORTRAIT by REMBRANDT is the envy of every museum in Europe–and a bit beyond, I would say!!
The ADAM LIBRARY is considered by many to be his finest work. The classical friezes and grand colonnades are exquisite. The collection of paintings is outstanding and were left to the Nation by the First Earl of Iveagh in 1927–and how grateful we all are. My favorite is the magnificent VERMEER which draws viewers from all over the world, including me!
The views of London are spectacular from Kenwood House, and the great sweep of lawn overlooking ponds and London below is breathtaking.
THIS IS A MUST SEE VISIT.
The grounds were the backdrop of JANE AUSTEN’S MANSFIELD PARK.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE KENWOOD HOUSE WEBSITE WHERE THE MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCES MANY MUSICAL PRODUCTIONS IN THE GARDENS AND IN THE ORANGERIE (my favorite room in the house and pre-dates Robert Adam).
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
I have had several calls in the office about visiting the HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT this summer when the House of Lords and the House of Commons are not sitting. I am putting this information on the blog as the summer visits are taking place now.
There are over four million maps in various forms at the BRITISH LIBRARY. Magnificent maps highlight the British Library’s unique collection of large-scale maps, many of which have never been exhibited before demonstrate why maps are about far more than geography.
THE KLENCKE ATLAS was given to King Charles II at the time of the STUART RESTORATION in 1660. Such magnificent maps and atlases were symbols of status and wealth. They were important items in private and royal residences.
Prior to 1800, these maps would have hung beside paintings and sculpture on the walls of palaces and grand private homes. No expense was spared with vast tapestries, large wooden globes, and painting in gold leaf commissions.
THIS IS MAGNIFICENT AND MUST NOT BE MISSED. Very beautiful.
The first image is a portion of the very large CORONATION PORTRAIT of Queen Victoria. These narrative canvases record an important event in English history; this portrait captures a coronation which began an entirely new age.
The second image is the STATE PORTRAIT OF QUEEN VICTORIA. She is wearing the State Crown (notice the Stuart Sapphire in the front of the crown) and Parliament joins her in the distance. The Queen said when she was first Queen: I WILL BE GOOD. After George IV and William IV, these must have been reassuring words.
The third painting is Winterhalter’s portrait of the Royal Family with the Queen accompanied by the Prince Consort and the first five of her nine children. This massive painting highlights the glory of family life.
The fourth portrait is King George III, the last King of America. This king detested excessive shows of wealth and splendor. Rather, he preferred to be remembered as a family king dedicated to scholarship, farming, science and technology, fine paintings, and BOOKS. This beautiful portrait reflects the tastes of this scholarly King. I have great respect for King George III.
The fifth portrait is King George IV, a complete contrast to his father George III. This king loved splendor, ceremony, works of art, architecture, on and on–everything to the extreme. He was a man of excess who had lost the love of his people. BUT, he was Queen Victoria’s uncle. We will talk about that in a moment.
The sixth portrait is one of the grand portraits of CHARLES I by VanDyck, the court painter. There are several Van Dyck paintings in the Royal Collection, but this particular portrait is important because it is an attempt to create a ABSOLUTE MONARCH to match the French King, Louis XIV who was painted in this same pose by Rigaud. This portrait had been sold by Cromwell, but it was returned to James II after the Stuart’s return to the throne.
The STATE ROOMS at BUCKINGHAM PALACE will be open to the public starting 29 July until 29 September while the Queen is in Scotland. For visitors in London, this is one of the most interesting events of the summer season. After the State rooms, visitors will enjoy a special exhibit about the Queen’s Royal Tours. After you have gone through the palace, visit the the QUEEN’S GALLERY around the side of the palace where a most amazing VICTORIA AND ALBERT EXHIBITION is taking place. This year’s SUMMER OPENING will be one of the most interesting ever held at the Palace. Don’t miss it.
Tom
The Queen is 84 years old and continues to keep a demanding schedule. In light of the Queen’s busy schedule in Canada this week, the Palace published a history of the Queen’s schedule for the previous year. I think you will be amazed. THIS IS AN AMAZING SERVICE TO THE NATION. She goes on like her mother, the Queen Mother who lived to be over 100 years–full of enjoyment and enthusiasm. Really admirable.
I love my readers. Another reader found some fantastic shots of THE RED DEER in WINDSOR GREAT PARK. This reader is planning a bike tour through the park. Would that not be fantastic? But here are some photos he sent me which he found someone on the Web.
Thomas Moore
I LOVE TO GO TO ART EXHIBITIONS. I love to stand before a contemporary painting and think to myself: EITHER YOU ARE WACKO OR I AM NUTS–or BOTH. But I love it. Even though I live in a big old house filled with everything made before 1830, I still love huge canvases covered in red, yellow, orange, a bit of blue, and shocking green–no attempt to have meaning–it just exists as a magnificent “madrugada” of color. If it ever stops raining in the Wasatch Mountains where I live, I am going to go into my bee garden and dump loads of paint onto a canvas. I don’t think I can find a nude to dip and slide around, but I do think I can splash a big brush and away I go.
NOW IN ITS 242ND YEAR, the 14 June -22 August show will include works in all media including painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, architecture, and film.
If you like contemporary art, you will be in heaven. If you are a closeted admirer of contemporary art but don’t want your friends to know, PUT ON A WIG AND SOME DARK GLASSES, and enjoy yourself– all by yourself– totally incognito. Come on, admit it, there is nothing better than standing in front of a modern picture, full of strange figures and wonderful colors, and saying to yourself: WOW, I LIKE THAT. You don’t have to take it home and shock the spouse who might think you have gone crazy–hopefullyreally crazy,
Londoners love to talk about the weather, going to the warm climates on holidays, the Royal Family, the death of the Princess of Wales, Prince William, the Scottish issue, whatever party is in power, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. These same subjects are tossed back and forth endlessly. You can be sure that the weather starts all conversations; I suppose that is understandable.
The Duchess of Windsor certainly had her influence over the Duke and led him down a rocky path, finally ending in the Abdication Crisis. The British government refused to give him a job during the war. The government finally successfully located him out of harm’s way as Governor of Bermuda. ENJOY THIS VIDEO; it will give you lots of to talk about when you are sitting on train next to a more mature travel partner. This is good stuff.
As I mentioned earlier in a blog written while I was in London last month, the evening concerts in the old 18th century church ST. MARTIN-IN-THE FIELDS are such an attraction–a real treat. Being in London four or five times a year will find me many evenings enjoying these concerts, and I recommend these performances to London visitors. The church has been completely refurbished recently and now just sparkles in all its 18th century glory. The Royal cypher of King George II is emblazoned on the ceiling with fine Georgian architectural tracings and motifs highlighted in gold leaf. All the old pews and balconies are still in place with the great organ still positioned on the great West Wall. You approach this magnificent church from Trafalgar Square–once the “fields”– where the great columns and “wedding cake” spire soak the eyes with pleasure. The entire setting takes a visitor right back to Hanoverian London when Madison, Jefferson, and Franklin attended church here. Benjamin Franklin lived only three blocks from the Church, so his infrequent visits weren’t because of inability to find the church. Other American 18th century ministers to the Court of St. James were more regular attenders at church services; John and Abigail Adams were most often in attendance.
Hopefully, some of these concerts will be of interest to you. Tickets range from 7 pounds in the balconies–great sound–to 25 pounds on the main floor, right in front of the performers. The entire church abounds with music, so all the seats have their benefits. Actually, my favorite seats are in front row in the balcony. It is the best of all worlds. Let me list the program schedule. Hopefully, you will post a blog about your experiences at St. Martin-in-the-Fields for all to enjoy. I will certainly keep you in the loop about our holiday experiences here.