 |
| The Swing, Fragonard |
If I'm completely honest, what I really, really enjoyed was a mooch down Marylebone High Street looking at the shops, browsing in Daunt Books, even stopping at Pret for an iced coffee. I'm really enjoying London's new normal ... enough people out and about to create the buzz of being in town, enjoying the sunshine and lunching at pavement tables, but no crowds and not much traffic. And everyone seems quite cheery and glad to be doing whatever's available.
So - if it's open, I'm going! The Wallace Collection - which is never crowded - seemed about as un-busy as any normal weekday, except that the cafe was closed. (They're only allowing 125 people per day but there's no problem booking.)
I used to visit here a lot as a child and loved all that froufrou Rococo stuff - but my tastes have changed and a little Fragonard and Marie Antoinette goes a long way.
Instead, I'm drawn to all those Protestant domestic virtues that I lack in real life!
 |
| Woman peeling Apples, de Hooch |
 |
| The Lace Maker (Caspar Netscher) |
And this ... the exquisite detail of the lacemaker's cap, and her well-worn shoes, even the mussel shells and the odd straw left behind by her broom.
Though I also warmed to the domestic chaos of this cuckolded father wetting the baby's head.
 |
| Celebrating the Birth (Jan Steen) |
Needless to say, I've already booked my first day at the V&A!
10 comments:
When I was a child, my parents used to take me to the Wallace Collection fairly often. But it wasn't until one of my visits to the UK a couple of years ago that I returned. Funny to find myself texting photos of the armour room to a grandson in the US so many, many decades after my own childhood visits.
Like you, enjoyed going round to Marylebone High Street to pop into Daunt or stop at one of the cafes. Sad to think that it will likely be two years before I get back to UK. My doctor told me this week that I shouldn't plan any travel until then. Considering how lousy the US is doing with managing public health, it is likely her prognosis is correct. Very depressing.
Hope we'll see you back before too long, Mary. I had to cancel a trip to New Orleans - with hindsight, rather foolishly booked a few weeks before lockdown - but as things turned out, I was quite relieved not to be going and (eventually!) got my money back. But things are looking up here and I'm feeling much more cheerful now a few places have reopened. Keep well!
I'm with you, Mary! No to the Rococo and Baroque. I like the scenes of domestic life, too. How nice to have the V&A to look forward to. Enjoy!
Take care
xxx
It does feel like we're getting back to normal life, Vronni. I had a wonderful visit to the National Gallery - so much more enjoyable without the usual crowds! I'm going back while the going's good! That was definitely a COVID silver lining!
Oh, these are lovely! I too love domestic scenes.
I'm interested in what you say about tubes. I'm slightly tube-phobic at the best of times but getting from Edinburgh to daughter's in Walthamstow does probably involve tubing, and I'm hesitant. But on the other hand I'm also craving to be with daughter and her little daughter. Hmm, maybe...
I was hesitant, too, Pam - but as everything was closed there didn't seem much point travelling into town for the sake of it. Now things are getting (sort of) back to normal, I'm wearing wear gloves as i'm incapable of getting down steps without holding the rail - and probably look barking mad but I don't care! (Then, of course, I touch the gloves pulling them off and they go in my bag or my pocket and so there's probably no point at all!) But, honestly, it's been fine. If one train looks a bit busy, I let it go past and wait for the next one. And it's lovely in London - no crowds, in fact how you'd like it to be all the time.
Will you fly down or come on the train? I haven't been on a proper train yet but I'm planning a day in Cambridge.
You have encouraged me Mary. I have the option of walking from Charing Cross to the National Gallery, or from London Bridge for Tate Modern so I may brave an overground train before I need to use the tube which I have long since loathed.
I haven't been on an overground train, Lucille, but friends who have tell me you can have a carriage to yourself! I loved my National Gallery visit - I felt like a prisoner let out for good behaviour! Lovely just standing in Trafalgar Square and seeing a bit of life.
Excitingly, my daughter has decided to come up with her little peach of a daughter FOR A FORTNIGHT!! They arrive on Saturday. So I don't need to go down at the moment. I hope they don't bring any nasty bugs with them... but in fact, at the moment, I don't care. Her doctor brother is dubious about the wisdom of her coming but anyway, she is. Hurray.
Oh, that's lovely for you, Pam. I hope you have a brilliant time. Enjoy the first cuddle!
Post a Comment