Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
April 18, 2013
April 4, 2013
GRINLING GIBBONS: MASTER CARVER OF THE 17TH AND 18TH CENTURES
Grinling Gibbons:
Charles II at the Chelsea Royal Hospital by Grinling Gibbons:
William II and Mary, great patrons of Gibbons:
GRINLING GIBBONS WORK:
My friend Joe DiLeo wrote an article about the carvings of Grinling Gibbons this morning. I am particularly interested in this Baroque wood carver because he was a study I was required to complete while I was in a graduate design class. Since that time, I have had greater appreciation for the works of the greatest carver in British Royal history. I have found Gibbons’s work at Windsor Castle, Petworth, Chatsworth, the Wren Library at Oxford, St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, St James’s Church on Piccadilly, and Hampton Court. Charles II needed Gibbons to help him redecorate London after the Great Fire of London in 1666. King William II and Queen Mary wished to make Hampton Court a rival of Versailles, and Gibbons’s magnificent carvings contributed to the glory of the Baroque Age. We must remember that Grinling Gibbons carved in marble as well as in lime wood. We have examples of Gibbons’s marble carvings in memorials in Westminster Abbey and in St. James’s Wren Church. Sir Christopher Wren greatly admired this great carver’s work and all the stalls of St. Paul’s Cathedral have this carver’s signature. This Dutch-English carver contributed significantly to the splendor of Wren’s work. Wren designed, and Gibbons carved. I have assembled several examples of of this great artist’s work. I hope you enjoy them.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
March 4, 2013
PALM SPRINGS: ITS SETTING AND ARCHITECTURE — “A PEACEFUL BEAUTY, SENSITIVE AND GRAND”
What a magnificent world!
Palm Springs at 6:00 PM
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
February 20, 2013
KENWOOD HOUSE ART COLLECTION MAKING FRIENDS IN AMERICA UNTIL SEPTEMBER
I have been putting together articles lately about the great houses around London. Another of these great estates is Kenwood House in north London. I have enjoyed visiting this historic residence for years because of the stunning Robert Adams Library and the fine paintings. I want to warn travelers to London this year that the house will be closed until 1 September because of necessary restorations and conservation. While the conservation work is being done, the Kenwood House Art Collection will be making friends in the United States–returning to London early September. In the meantime, the great lawns are spectacular for a picnic or a game of soccer to stretch travelers legs. You will recognize the facade of the house because it played prominently Jane Austen movies and in the movie NOTTING HILL. Here is a bit of history about this lovely house, so much the work of Robert Adams, and the fabulous art collection.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
February 3, 2013
MY ENCOUNTER WITH GOOGLE: THE BUILDING STANK! REPULSIVE AND VULGAR
Last week, I was walking to New Oxford Street to check out a flat that has been offered to us. Suddenly, GOOGLE’s building blasted across the skyline. In honest terms, I thought it stank! I wondered how Prince Charles missed that one. The inside of the building looks amazing; that’s one redeeming factor. Have a look.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
December 27, 2012
“ACKERMANN’S REPOSITORY OF ARTS, LITERATURE, COMMERCE, MANUFACTURES, FASHIONS, AND POLITICS” 1809-1829 AT 1001 Strand, London
“Ackermann’s Repository and Arts” was an illustrated, British periodical published from 1809 – 1829 by Rudolph Ackermann. The formal name of the journal was “Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashions, and Politics.” In Regency England, the publication had great influence on English taste in fashion, architecture, and literature. Ackermann’s ART SHOP was located at 101 Strand in London.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
December 20, 2012
ACKERMANN’S MICROCOSM OF LONDON (1808) — The most amazing journey through Pugin’s drawings of London
Goodness, I wish I had more time. These fabulous sources of information are so exciting. ACKERMANN’S MICROCOSM OF LONDON (1818) has about absorbed my day, BUT IT HAS BEEN WORTH EVERY MINUTE. Absolutely incredible stuff.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
October 23, 2012
“THE ARCHITECTURE OF SOUTHERN ENGLAND” by John Julius NORWICH, 1985
“THE ARCHITECTURE OF SOUTHERN ENGLAND” by John Julius Norwich has come into my life because of the recommendation of one of this blog’s contributors. My Australian friend brought the publication to my attention and told me that there was one of this 27-year-old publications on Amazon. I bought it, and today I have been buried perusing this fantastic survey of the histories of the architecture in Southern England. Those who enjoy studying the history of England country houses and landmarks of southern England, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. I have to say THANK YOU to my “down under friends.”
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
October 16, 2012
SEZINCOTE GARDENS, GLOUCESTERSHIRE: “A PASSAGE TO INDIA” ~~The INSPIRATION for George IV’s Brighton Pavilion~~
Sezincote Garden in Gloucestershire is an amazing place, a perfect day-out-of-London, for those who love architecture, history, and gardens. The rage for exotic architecture and oriental influences is evidenced in almost every English country house. SEZINCOTE in Gloucestershire is an outstanding example. I have never been to this amazing house and gardens. I suppose the reason I have not gone is because my father wrote in his diary in 1945 that the house was in shambles. But all that has changed. My australian friend sent me several wonderful photographs which have caught my attention. The link which interests me is Sezincote’s connection with the Royal Pavilion of Brighton; King George IV and his architect NASH visited this country house in 1807, and the world changed for them–and for us. I think you are going to like this one. Maybe a day out of London? I think so.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
October 15, 2012
SALISBURY CATHEDRAL: THE CATHEDRAL AND THE CLOSE ~~ A PERFECT DAY TRIP FROM LONDON BY TRAIN
Standing in front of a massive John Constable canvas in the National Gallery is an amazing experience. But standing in front of Constable’s painting of Salisbury is an even more amazing experience. The blood begins to rush through your body and stand there in a flush of excitement. Ah, to Salisbury I go to see the cathedral and the splendid close with every architectural style from 1500 until the mid-18th century. You will recognize some of the buildings in the close because several movies have been filmed here–especially Jane Austen’s films. There is a train that goes directly from London to Salisbury in about an hour. When you arrive in Salisbury, take a cab at the station to Stonehenge and then back to Salisbury; ask the driver to take you to the Cathedral close. You will stand in the close, view the cathedral and the Close–a sight almost unbelievable. The eyes are drawn immediately to the spire and cathedral building, but gradually the eye begins to dance with delight as a visitor begins to discover one historic facade after another. The entire experience is amazing. I am sure you are sensing my feeling that a day out-of-London for a visit to Salisbury and to the Salisbury Close is highly recommended. When I was in Salisbury a couple of years ago, I found a tourist brochure in a local pub where I was having lunch which recommended a walking tour around the Close giving information about the most important buildings. If those brochures exist today, they will be at the train station where you arrive. My new friend Neil Rocklin send me his images of the close which I would like to share with my readers. This close and its cathedral will dazzle your imagine. Take the train to Salisbury. You will love it.
NOW THE MEWS — It covers a large area, so I would take your car for your “go round.” Many periods of British architecture: Medieval/Gothic, Renaissance, Stuart/Queen Anne/William and Mary, Georgian–and every variation
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
