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| Tea at Furlongs, 1939 |
On a sunny spring afternoon, what could be nicer than a pot of coffee and a jam-and-cream scone in the lovely garden at Dulwich Picture Gallery, admiring daffodils and a gorgeous magnolia ...
Before discovering that the Ravilious exhibition you were so looking forward to is pure pleasure and delight, everything you were hoping for and more. There are old favourites, seen in the flesh ...
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| The Waterwheel, 1938 |
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| The Greenhouse: Cyclamen and Tomatoes, 1935 |
If you've only seen the birthday card, you haven't experienced the strange magnetic pull of the closed greenhouse door.
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| Train Landscape, 1940 |
I've only seen the famous Train Landscape once before, when I was so surprised to discover that it's a collage, I never noticed that it's slightly on a tilt - conveying the motion of the train. Just look at the rubbed nap of the velvet upholstery and the worn leather window-strap ... again and again, I was amazed by textures lost in reproduction.
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| Flowers on a Cottage Table |
But there were many, many watercolours that were completely new to me, either because they are held by museums that rarely show them or they're in private collections. (Oh yes, I was overcome by art-envy! But do you grab and run/escape on a bicycle/call a cab ... I've always been fascinated by Dulwich's history of
art crime - although if anyone from Scotland Yard/Interpol should chance to read this: It Wozzn't Me.
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A Farmhouse Bedroom, 1930s
A Farmhouse Bedroom is in the V&A ... wouldn't you shiver at the thought of having to sleep there? It could be the setting for an unnerving psychological thriller about an unhappy marriage - or a creepy lodging house. I wondered what Hitchcock would make of it?
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| RNAS Sick Bay, Dundee, 1941 |
On the other hand, you could never be bored convalescing in this bed.
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| Vicarage in Winter, 1935 |
And I haven't even started on dawn light - and steely winter skies - and footprints in snow. So if you're reading this, Sue, and wondering if it's worth a trip to London - the answer is yes, you definitely should!
9 comments:
That's a great present, Sue! But you would love the exhibition. This is when you need a cheap train ticket offer!
And then I could meet you both. Especially if it is your big birthday.
So looking forward to seeing it! x
Oooh, I'm going to this tomorrow and am so excited!!! Sounds so fabulous. xxx
Such wonderful pictures. Think I might have to make an effort to see this. I think Train Landscape might be my favourite.
Can't wait to go. Have only seen the greetings cards. Except... don't want to make any one jealous but I inherited a Ravillious coronation mug from my grandparents. (The one in that greetings card) It's a 'seconds' with a bit where the design has smudged, but I love it. Don't want to crash anyone's party but I'd love to meet up with other bloggers, especially at an exhibition.
Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did, Miranda. And Katharine, it would be a great place for a get-together! Though you might end up doing more talking than looking!
Thanks for the preview, Mary! I am SO excited to see this exhibit...hope there are plenty of postcards to buy up for my locker door at work.
They couldn't have timed it better, Darlene!
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