Wherever I go, I love to be in the midst of people who also love to be in the world of a museum. There is something wonderful seeing and appreciating the items museums treasure. I feel comfortable no matter what the theme or style of the museum may be. I was really amazed what I saw in the Palm Springs Museum this morning — all the “right” artists and many wonderful local treasures as well.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
When I visit the V$A, I try to spend a bit of time admiring the splendid DELLA ROBBIA SCULPTURE of THREE MARY’S AND THE MARTYRED CHRIST. I think it is one of the most beautiful objects in the entire museum. Don’t you agree? I love it.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
THE WALLACE COLLECTION on Manchester Square in a member of my TOP FIFTEEN LONDON DESTINATIONS CLUB. That Club is made up of the following: THE NATIONAL GALLERY, THE TOWER OF LONDON, BUCKINGHAM PALACE INCLUDING THE QUEEN’S GALLERY, THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM, WESTMINSTER ABBEY, THE WALLACE COLLECTION, THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, PORTOBELLO ROAD, THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, ST. MARTIN IN-THE-FIELD, ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL, GREENWICH: THE ROYAL HOSPITAL, KEY GARDENS, HAMPTON COURT. Every visit to London finds me on Manchester Square to admire the phenomenal collection in the WALLACE COLLECTION: 18th century Sevres, Louis XV French furniture, French 18th century paintings, 18th century snuff boxes, fine 18th century Italian and English paintings, on and on and on. The minute one enters the door of the great house, an overwhelming sense of quality permeates the air. As one walks through the beautiful rooms with fabulous chandeliers and fabrics, the paintings we are all familiar with hang on the walls before us. My grandmother and mother were Sevres porcelain collectors, and I have lived with wonderful 18th century examples so I warm all over when I stand in front of large cases after large cases of the finest examples of 18th century porcelain. Fabulous snuff boxes? There are no finer examples anywhere in the world. THE WALLACE COLLECTION on Manchester Square is a world-class museum of the highest level. A visitor will not be the same person after a visit to this almost-hallowed collection. Even the great collector King George IV was envious of this collection.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
My camera was having the best time in the Wallace Collection’s Sevres cabinets. Absolutely exquisite!
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
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
I wrote an article about THE IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM during my last visit to London. I was amazed by the number of responses I received. I imagine that some of the interest was from students preparing World War II term papers for school. I couldn’t believe I did not have any images of particular items in the Museum’s display–not even of the Duddle Bug. Perhaps some of these images will help; I took them yesterday afternoon. HOW WAR CHANGES LIVES is the name of the great displays. REALLY, it is a fabulous museum–even the TRENCHES in the basement. Certainly a fantastic Museum to include in your London itinerary.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
I have written on several occasions that for me the finest three museums in London are the V&A, Buckingham Palace, and the Wallace Collection. I visit the Wallace Collection every time I am in London; the quality of the collection is simply the finest. The French Sevres, furniture, and paintings are amazing–there is simply no equal anywhere. The quality is without question, but I am always stunned by the huge quantity in one setting. Madame de Pompadour’s great Sevres dominates the collection. It is as if the English pulled up a huge moving van and took it all to Buckingham Palace and to Manchester Square. The exquisite taste of the French 18th century court demanded the “impossible” quality–almost finer than the eye could see. Every time I see the Sevres, I have to say to myself that these fine pieces of exquisite porcelain represent man’s ability to create a beautiful world. Look a these images! THE COLORS AND DESIGNS DAZZLE THE EYE. Imagine the world in which these creations “lived.”
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
The HMS BELFAST is a World War II battle cruiser, now permanently docked in the River Thames directly across from the Tower of London. It is part of the IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM. I visited the battle cruiser a couple of years ago, and I was captivated by my visit. At the moment, the cruiser is closed for a short time, but I encourage you to continue to check their website HMS BELFAST to see when the cruiser is again available for visits. It should not be a long hiatus. If you are planning trip to London this spring and summer, this is a worthwhile visit. It will be a fantastic opportunity to learn how a ship of World War II operated. You can even create your own sea battle. It is a great learning experience.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
Yesterday, I spent a couple of hours wandering through the NATIONAL ART LIBRARY on the first floor of the Victoria and Albert Museum. I met a German art scholar who was researching several Renaissance paintings. I was fascinated by his research and really enjoyed being in this setting. Goodness, it is fabulous. Such a beautiful room filled with those beautiful and dusty volumes which I love so much. If you don’t have time to spend hours doing research, at least step and admire the most beautiful room, filled with beautiful books and dedicated researchers. Really wonderful.
THE NATIONAL ART LIBRARY AT THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
The Victoria and Albert Museum has its secrets! Yesterday, I was wandering through the Medieval and early Renaissance religious sculptures with an aim to enjoy the DELLA ROBBIA figures. When I encountered THE HOLY FAMILY AT THE DEATH OF CHRIST, I was blown away. The figures are almost life-size, the colors are vibrant and magnificent, and the modeling is splendid. BUT, THE BACK OF THE FIGURE IS FABULOUS TO SEE. You must not miss this figure at the Victoria and Albert. May I publish my figures!
And then the monumental DELLA ROBBIA monuments which dazzle the viewers
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
Powered by WordPress