March 2, 2012

TRAFALGAR SQUARE: THE 4TH PLINTH

Filed under: Art and Sculpture — tmooresr @ 8:05 am

First, we have a ship in a bottle, and now we have a gold child on a rocking horse on the 4th plinth on Trafalgar Square.  I have written several articles about my personal disappointment about the selections made to occupy the 4th plinth.  The idea to have a changing sculpture  is one discussion, but the quality of the sculpture is quite another.  THE PLINTH WHICH ONE DAY MAY HOLD AN EQUESTRIAN SCULPTURE OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II is for the meantime devalued by the pathetic sculptures which offend  people who expect that the main square of London should display the finest contemporary sculptures.  Unfortunately, the GOLD ROCKING HORSE is a great disappointment.  Have a look at this and let me know what you think.  Who in the world makes these choices?  Someone needs to have a firm conversation with these people.  Do you agree?  It looks like something you would find at an IKEA sale.

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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March 1, 2012

LONDON BECOMING ART CENTER OF THE WORLD

Filed under: ART GALLERIES,Art and Sculpture — tmooresr @ 6:35 am

Art!  Contemporary art galleries–Yes!  Yes!  Look at this.

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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February 29, 2012

JOHANN ZOFFANY: Thomas Gainsborough’s INSPIRATION

Filed under: Art and Sculpture — tmooresr @ 6:19 am

On Strand-on-the-Green, Chiswick, Johann Zoffany’s beautiful early 18th century house proudly displays the house’s Blue Plaque and confirms that the famous 18th century painter lived here.  Who was Johann Zoffany, this important painter so admired by Thomas Gainsborough?   Zoffany was born in Germany but spent the majority of his life either wandering through Italy or residing and painting in England.  During his early career, he was a society portrait painter completing portraits of the famous 18th century actor Garrick, the Queen’s Mecklenberg-Strelitz brother, the King, the Queen with children and brothers, and the famous royal portrait of the Queen seated at her dressing table with her sons the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York.  The portrait of the Queen’s brother was one of Gainsborough’s favorite pictures painted by Zoffany.  Zoffany’s importance is further evidenced by his being a founding member of the Royal Academy, appointed by the King himself in 1769.  Today, we remember Zoffany most for his THEATRICAL CONVERSATION PIECES like the TRIBUNA in Rome and a nobleman’s LIBRARY.  I particularly enjoy his massive picture THE COCK FIGHT–so full of life and animation.  Thomas Gainsborough admired Zoffany to the extent that he requested to be buried near Zoffany in the churchyard of St. Anne’s Church, Kew.  These are magnificent images, and I love them dearly.  I thought you would enjoy seeing them again.  I am sure it is not the first time, but I want to highlight this great 18th century painter.

My favorite portrait of King George III:

The Queen’s Mecklenberg-Strelitz brother, Prince Ernest Albert–one of my favorite portraits of all times and much admired by Gainsborough:

Portrait of Queen Charlotte:

Queen Charlotte, her Mecklenberg-Strelitz family and two of her children in the gardens of kew:

The Queen at Windsor at her dressing table with her two oldest children, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York:

A prosperous 18th century merchant seated among his pictures, displayed in typical 18th century fashion:

Zoffany’s interesting neo-classical portrait of the famous 18th century actor GARRICK:

AND NOW, THE  GREAT “THEATRICAL CONVERSATION PIECES”


Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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February 27, 2012

SIR JOHN SOANE MUSEUM – LINCOLN’S INN FIELD

Filed under: Architecture,Art and Sculpture,antiques,museums — tmooresr @ 10:16 am

I have a sensitive eye which contributes to my wanderings through London.  I love checking out the original Bath Stone with all its warm carving and classical themes on Buckingham Palace.  I enjoy spotting the Prince of Wales Fathers on Regency buildings.  I stand in amazement as I visit the Palace of Westminster.  I am thrilled when I read that the columns of the National Gallery once graced Carlton House, the Prince Regent’s London home on the Mall.  The carved stone pediments of the classical buildings cause me to pause to figure out the theme that is being depicted.  Visiting Westminster Abbey is like reading a book with all the Biblical stories told in stone;  it’s a medieval book filled with images and themes.  I enjoy classical carvings, and visiting Sir John Soane’s Classical Museum fascinates me.  Classical sculptures, classical carvings, Hogarth paintings, on and on fill the rooms of Sir John Soane’s unique home, now a museum in Lincoln’s Inn Field.  What disturbs me is I have never had an inquiry about this fabulous museum.  It doesn’t ever seem to squeeze into London visitors’ itineraries.  Let me say that perhaps a first-time visitor to London, staying in London for only one week, will be challenged with all the highlights of this magnificent city, but those spending two weeks should definitely include this fabulous museum.  I was a classical scholar, and spent hours and hours studying the artifacts found here in Sir John Soane Museum..  When I was in London taking a Renaissance art class, we spent several afternoons drawing, sketching some of the classical themes.  I fell in love with this extremely important collection in Lincoln’s Inn Field.

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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February 24, 2012

PUGIN’S WALLPAPER DESIGN FOR THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT: Sample in the Victoria and Albert Museum — Fascinating!

Filed under: Architecture,Art and Sculpture — tmooresr @ 9:57 pm

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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February 23, 2012

EDWARD VI AT PHILIP MOULD GALLERY, Mayfair

Filed under: ART GALLERIES,Art and Sculpture — tmooresr @ 12:34 pm

I really walking by PHILIP MOULD GALLERY on Dover Street in Mayfair.  I am usually off to a meeting, but I take the time to enjoy the historical paintings on display in the windows.  I think this article about the Tudor King Edward VI is very interesting.  I know the full length portrait in the Royal Collection referred to in this article.  I think you will enjoy the history behind this paining.  Bender Grosvenor does a great job as gallery manager.

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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CADOGAN CONTEMPORARY GALLERY — I know that one of these days I will find myself before a huge canvas with buckets of brilliant paint

Filed under: Art and Sculpture,London Exhibitions — tmooresr @ 11:53 am

My friend Claudia Marchant took me to see CADOGAN CONTEMPORARY GALLERY, Old Brompton Road, in London.  I really enjoyed the contrast of the old building and the contemporary canvases.  It was fantastic.  I know my readers would enjoy a visit to this gallery.  Check it out.

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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DAVID HOCKNEY AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY:

Filed under: Art and Sculpture,London Exhibitions,Royal Academy of ART — tmooresr @ 11:02 am

I attended the London Hockney Exhibition when I was in London in late January.  I love color, and I was not disappointed.  The exhibition is hanging until 9 April.  Don’t miss it.  It is worth the visit at the Royal Academy on Piccadilly.

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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SAVE WILLIAM SALTER’S “ENTOMBMENT OF CHRIST” AT ST PAUL’S CHURCH, HONITON — 1836

Filed under: Art and Sculpture — tmooresr @ 10:48 am

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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February 21, 2012

MONA LISA #2 ON EXHIBITION IN THE PRADO IN MADRID — Soon to depart for Paris to temporarily hang with the DaVinci original in the Louvre

Filed under: Art and Sculpture — tmooresr @ 3:51 pm

The two MONA LISA images will hang together in the Louvre this year.  I am thrilled and eager to see them together again when I am in Paris this year.  What a story to have the daVinci portrait as well as a contemporary’s version which adds great insights into the daVinci version.  Aren’t these amazing times?!  ABSOLUTELY EXCITING.

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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February 14, 2012

DAVID SHILLINGLAW’S “Britain”

Filed under: Art and Sculpture — tmooresr @ 9:53 am

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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DAVID SHILLINGLAW: A NEW VOICE — My motorbike to Brick Lane

Filed under: Art and Sculpture,STREET ART — tmooresr @ 6:51 am

My fifth child, Richard, was a graffiti artist and opened my eyes to a NEW VOICE for design, color, and expression or purpose.  It was hard for me to look at  his designs when I first saw what my own friends called “graffiti” and I ended up calling STREET ART.  But, as the years have passed, I have grown very fond of well placed and organized displays of public art.  While I was in London, I ran into the website STREETARTNEWS.NET.  

This website lead me to the work of David Schillinglaw who had just painted a new piece of work on Bacon Street, off Brick Lane.  Well, from there, I started to scratch and scratch until I knew I was going to visit and search through neighborhoods around Brick Lane to see what I could see and find out more about this guy SHILLINGLAW.  My friend Luis and I flew through London traffic on a motorbike and landed in the heart of the most amazing street art which is highly prized and regarded by the citizens of the neighborhood.  I was in heaven and couldn’t stop shooting image after image with my camera.  I decided that my VALENTINE’S DAY article today would highlight this young artist whose work is absolutely amazing.  London is a rich center for  artistic expression these days:  exhibitions, galleries, street art, graffiti, markets, and young artists all over Trafalgar Square and other areas with their canvas and chalk.  There is no question that SHILLINGLAW is part of a new voice which developed into an important art form, highly regarded by critics and collectors all over the world.  I know that if I could have taken home a wall from East London’s Bacon Street and Brick Lane with the most wonderful street art, I would have been whistling all the way.  Look at this.

Aren’t we grateful to our children who open so many doors for us who are often too glued to older and sometimes archaic forms of expression!?

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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February 13, 2012

Exclusive David Hockney Valentine’s Evening at the Royal Academy of Arts

Filed under: A good cause,Art and Sculpture,London Events — tmooresr @ 10:40 am

An evening at the Royal Academy.  Nice.

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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19TH AND 20TH CENTURY MINIATURES TO BE EXHIBITED AT PHILIP MOULD GALLERY ON DOVER STREET, MAYFAIR, March 2012

Filed under: Art and Sculpture — tmooresr @ 7:46 am

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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GOOD MONDAY MORNING, LONDON. We have a lot to talk about today.

Filed under: Art and Sculpture,antiques — tmooresr @ 7:32 am

Louise A. Grosvenor, London, 1906

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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“FRANCIS HAYMAN, SELF PORTRAIT” AT PHILIP MOULD GALLERY, DOVER STREET, MAYFAIR, LONDON.

Filed under: Art and Sculpture — tmooresr @ 6:56 am


Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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CHARLES I BRONZE BUST AFTER LE SEUR at Philip Mould Gallery — Excellent write-up, Bender Grosvenor

Filed under: Art and Sculpture — tmooresr @ 6:31 am

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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February 12, 2012

HENRY VIII: Never a dull moment when it comes to this Tudor King! Read this!

Filed under: Art and Sculpture — tmooresr @ 11:05 pm

I keep saying to myself:  WHAT NEXT!?  I have loved this huge TUDOR historical painting which hung at Whitehall.  I did not realize there was mystery in its long history.  Until now!



Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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February 11, 2012

LONDON’S ROOF TOP SCULPTURES: “I try to avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking up.” Charlotte Bronte

Filed under: Art and Sculpture,LONDON SITES — tmooresr @ 10:47 am

There are so many “levels” in London:  the centuries of ancient London below the surface, the magnificent city we see today, and the fabulous sculpture on all the buildings in this amazing city.  We have done a good job discussing the city “at eye level” over the past few years on this blog, but it is now time to explore the London “above.”  Let’s have a look up for a bit.  Fabulous how a city records its history;  London does a splendid job.

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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DICKSEE’S “ROMEO AND JULIET” VOTED THE MOST ROMANTIC IMAGE IN BRITAIN

Filed under: Art and Sculpture — tmooresr @ 9:48 am

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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February 10, 2012

THE NATIONAL GALLERY: Titian’s “FLIGHT INTO EGYPT” comes to London from Hermitage April – September 2012

Filed under: Art and Sculpture,London Exhibitions — tmooresr @ 9:02 am

The National Gallery is hopping with exhibitions this year.  First Leonard daVinci and now TITIAN’S “FLIGHT INTO EGYPT”  – purchased by Catherine the Great in the 18th century in Venice.  This is the first time the painting has been outside Russia since it was purchased.  We have to see this!  Wow!


Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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THE COURTAULD GALLERY: Peter Paul Rubens’ “Cain Slaying Abel” returned to gallery, fully restored

Filed under: Art and Sculpture,London Exhibitions — tmooresr @ 5:51 am

When I wander through the great galleries in London, I often wonder how all these great canvases are kept in such magnificent presentation.  The vanishes darken, the canvases crack, the panels warp, on and on.  Teams and teams of artists work full time assuring that these great masterpieces remain in perfect condition.  When I was a young man, our friends Shirley and Paul Carroll in Reading, Massachusetts, thought that I should try to work on a canvas to learn to appreciate the work involved in keeping a collection of paintings “safe.”  I was to inherit a collection of good pictures, and they feared that I was unaware of the work involved with this responsibility.  I was to inherit a Claude Lorraine and a Benjamin West from the Carrolls, so they were protecting their gifts to my family.   I slaved over the practice canvas  with some success, but I certainly understood the Carolls’s  point.  The highlight of the summer was a visit to the workshop of Morton C. Bradley in Arlington/Boston who was in the process of cleaning  the great colonial portrait of John Hancock by Copley from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.  My training came in handy when a few years after this bit of training, a great collection of paintings were offered to the LDS Church in Salt Lake City.  Mrs. Florence Jacobsen called me to her office to make arrangements for Mr. Bradley to come to Salt Lake City to give his expert opinion.  It was a fabulous experience.  While Mr. Bradley was in Salt Lake City, he looked at the great collection of Harwood paintings which are some of finest canvases in the LDS Church Collection.  For the next three years, several of the paintings were shipped to Boston for Mr. Bradley’s care. (see below)  I will never forget those years.  It was fascinating, to say the least.  From a little summer work on an insignificant canvas to working with Mr. Bradley on some of the finest  19th century Harwood paintings was a great voyage for me.  Even though I was only the person who arranged shipping and rehanging, I felt greatly rewarded for my efforts.

This morning, when I am reading about the restoration of the Courtauld Gallery’s restoration of Peter Paul Rubens’ “Cain Claying Abel,”  I marvel at the expertise needed to complete the restoration and conservation of such a fragile work of art.  This is a great achievement.  Several years ago, I was invited by “artsy” friends to accompany them to Hampton Court Palace where several of the Queen’s pictures were under restoration.  I remember walking into a huge room where the most enormous Renaissance painting was undergoing restoration.  Several conservationists were working meticulously inch by inch across this great image.  And now,  how can we, the public, help?  Everything that is bought in the Queen’s Gallery generates profit which goes to the maintaining of the Royal Collection.  The Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace is the largest source of funds for the care of the Royal Collection.  These great works are held in trust for the Nation by the Queen.  And, someway, somehow, funds have to be generated to pay for these tremendous expenses.    I think you will enjoy these articles about the Courtauld Gallery’s fantastic efforts.

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Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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February 4, 2012

DA VINCI AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY: A very interesting insight. EXACTLY RIGHT!

Filed under: Art and Sculpture,National Gallery London — tmooresr @ 10:03 am

This article takes the DA VINCI EXHIBITION to another level.  I think the author is EXACTLY RIGHT.

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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February 1, 2012

THE MONA LISA: A REMARKABLE DISCOVERY SHEDS LIGHT ON THE DA VINCI MASTERPIECE

Filed under: Art and Sculpture,Artifact — tmooresr @ 3:04 pm

All the focus on daVinci in London this year has stirred a great deal of interest world-wide.  A remarkable discovery has given further insight into the MONA LISA in the Louvre.  This is really amazing.  HOT OFF THE PRESS!

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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January 31, 2012

MY VIEW: SEND IT OFF TO A BACK GARDEN IN SOUTH KOREA WITH MY BLESSINGS! GOOD RIDDANCE

Filed under: Art and Sculpture — tmooresr @ 4:15 pm

I hate this stupid 4th plinth–every bit of it.  I CAN’T BELIEVE this is the best contemporary art sculpture we can find for the 4th plinth.  Ridiculous!

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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