While visiting Paris, I was staying in the Hannah Arendt Square.
This I really appreciated.
I like her a lot, but she was v. much a product of her time.
Her political thought is very important; but her work vis-a-vis the Holocaust and the “banality of evil” (in her exposure to Eichmann’s trial) was more of an accident.
Note: This is the 2nd part reviewing London’s NG’s Van Gogh exhibition. See Part 1.
Room 3 — “The Yellow House: An Artist’s Home”
The third theme of the exhibition concerns his time in Arles.
Arles was a tiny little town in Van Gogh’s day. Literally, a few houses and a railway line. The yellow house (below) was rented by van Gogh in early 1888. By September, he had bold plans to turn it into a modest “artist’s home” and commune for his artist friends from Paris. He used his major paintings as decoration for the house.
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Awesome.
Quite possibly, my favorite painting of his.
That’s the constellation of Ursa Major over the River Rhone at Arles.
The canvas overwhelms the senses with its immersive beautiful serene atmosphere.
“And it does me good to do what’s difficult. That doesn’t stop me having a tremendous need for, shall I say the word — for religion — so I go outside at night to paint the stars, and I always dream a painting like that, with a group of lively figures of the pals.”
Hello bloggers,
After a few years of having an obscure name for my blog & URL; I’ve decided to “upgrade” it to something more catchy and a bit more “me”.
Later today, my blog will be under the new name of:
thegallerymeerkat.blogspot.com
 |
| Squirrel photobombing a couple 😃 |
Sorry for the inconvenience.
If you could change links and RSS feeds, would appreciate it.
Finally, big thank you for recent feedback and continued interest in the things I write about. 😉
Yes/No.
Yes/No.
TwistedArtBlogAngloArtBlogWalkInArt - a bit pretentious?LiamsArtBlogOnceAMonkeyArtVulture - my favourite, short and snappy, and I like the vulture image.MonkeyArtBizOTHER ........
Yes/No.
Yes/No.
It was a wonderful cathartic opera, and it was terrific.
A thriller with a shock ending.
The first act of Tosca was the best act. Music incredible and it ended with so much tension. My hair was stood on end as the curtains closed.
This opera is all about tension and than grief or lost love.
Natalya Romaniw, as Floria Tosca, performed exquisitely. Her singing of the “visse d’arte” aria was just divine. She poured out her heart in that performance, and made me feel like I was floating.
While SeokJong Baek - as Tosca’s idealistic painter, Cavaradossi - captures his protagonist’s despair and melancholy quite beautifully leading to the heart-wrenching climax in “e lucevan le stelle”. I love the fact that Baek feels every word he sings, giving the character a depth of emotion, was wonderful
A special shout-out to the Welsh baritone Sir Bryn Terfel. Outstanding singing and acting. His sudden appearance at the top of the steps gave me chills.
The music. Puccini reigns. Music was in my blood. What a composer. I was excited to read about Eun Sun Kim as the new conductor.
Rating: 5 ★★★★★
Note: This write-up of London’s National Gallery’s major exhibition: “Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers” will be over 3 parts.
This show is a once-a-century blockbuster.
It contains 60 (!!!) of Van Gogh’s most famous pictures. There have been loans from around the world — from Athens to Mexico City! And, some, very special paintings from private collections (which we may never see again).
Everything in the exhibition was painted in the 2 short years that he spent in the South of France, in both Arles and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. It attempts to challenge our misconceptions of Van Gogh. By curating the show thematically (i.e. “garden” or “decoration”), his works can be seen in a fresher perspective. The gallery doesn’t want us to fall into the trap of seeing Van Gogh in the cliche chart of: ... Hope on arrival to set up an artists colony... Disintegrating relationship with Gauguin... Severing off ear... Going mad... Lunatic asylum... Suicide...
Instead, themes pervade the entire gamut of Van Gogh’s time in the South of France — both Arles and Saint-Rémy. As such, he was interested in the recurring ideas & themes ... a consistency.
My overall thoughts:
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Room 1 — Introduction (1888)
In Feb 1888, Van Gogh went to live and work in the South of France.
This room instances van Gogh’s enduring love for parks and nature, and his symbolic portraits of “The Poet” and “The Lover” (betokening the exhibition’s title).
Love it.
This guy — Mr. Boch — was actually an artist. But, van Gogh thought he was the “ideal” poet.
Apparently, he thought his narrow face reminded him of the poet Dante.
The blue sky was intended to convey the impression of a man who “dreams great dreams.”
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A stately & striking picture. This is “The Lover” ...
It seems Milliet was known to Van Gogh as the epitome of success — a military man and “conquering” with the women.
Van Gogh depicts the Lieutenant in a dashing uniform, a distant serious aspect, a bold and elegantly bristling moustache, an overall dignified appearance.
The dark green background creates a dramatic surface to further highlight his aspect.
Beautiful.
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So, he died.
I don’t know if I agree with Mr Prescott’s positions or views (probably not) — but he was representative of the pre-Blair Britain (much better than today).
The Labour Party used to be about the working classes and “blue collar” jobs ... and were always a bit nervous of the natural right-wing views of their voting base.
Today, unions are more “white collar”, public sector, and concerned with identity politics. What does it mean to be “working class” now?
For Prescott, my impression is that he sounded the battle cry in opposition; and in his moment of glory, turned a bit toothless. Perhaps unfair?
At any rate, he was inimitable.
I will post a few thoughts on the law to this very strange case - in addition to my previous post on the politics.
I don’t think this will be problematic for Israel to defend. The burden would be on Karim Khan, and I think that’s a problem.
The real nuisance would be the precedent of the de facto jurisdiction of the court over the Israeli Prime Minister and government. What’s striking is the remarkable soft-power of the court’s jurisdiction over non-signatories (and, for that matter, over non-states).
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So, the alleged war crimes are (1) “starvation ... as a method of warfare” and (2) “willful killing”.
The problems are:
I don’t see how he can prosecute his case.
“Heretic” offers a novel and unsettling thriller/horror film that lingers with you after the film’s credits roll - religious themes in a twisted and suspenseful narrative.
It’s one of those films littered with subtle clues and signs.
Two young missionaries encounter a reclusive & mysterious Englishman (Hugh Grant) ... which sets the stage for an unsettling game of cat and mouse.
The first 3/4 of the film is great.
The tension gradually builds up and one is never fully sure of each character’s true rationale/motives. Are the missionaries really true believers? Is Mr Reed actually an OK guy? Hugh Grant is great at unsettling you with his raffish rogueish charm (masking his darker intent). He is engrossing & I enjoyed his deeper chronicling on the meta of religions. The other actors (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) are equally impressive.
The film’s darkened atmosphere & claustrophobia is masterful which magnifies the unease.
However, the final act, fails to satisfy.
I felt that the v. thought-provoking and unsettling commentary on evil & religion demanded a worthy and “extraordinary” denouement.
Yet, it seemed to me like something was missing.
Rating: 3 ★★★
Another scandal in England ... and another leader claiming to have “known nothing about it” (à la Vennels at the Post Office).
Justin Welby - Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Anglican Communion - is accused of having “most probably” known about the horrific & sadistic abuse meted out at the hands of the serial predator John Smyth. According to the report, it was “most probable”.
He spent some time (vague?) with Smyth in South Africa after he quickly disappeared from England. As far back as the 1970s and 1980s, people within the church are said to have known that Smyth was an abuser. Welby maintains that he wasn’t aware & sorry for the errors. Ultimately, though, the fault lies elsewhere.
Should he resign?
I’m not sure.
For yes = it would because of the Archbishop’s moral authority which may be forfeited if he stays on in Lambeth Palace. It would be about the broader CofE’s safeguarding procedures. After all, Welby appears to have done nothing even in 2013 when he was alerted (presumably call the police?).
For no = on the other hand, the report says that 40 years ago Welby was in a professional/social circle in which he might have been exposed to information that someone else was behaving in a v. concerning manner. It doesn’t seem just to punish him for something he may not have been responsible for. It seems merely being alive in the 80s was enough for a moral failing. It is hard to say if Welby, personally, covered up the abuse, or ignored it.
Not sure.
Hello bloggers!
I was at St Paul’s Cathedral for the 2024 Lord Mayor Show.
The Lord Mayor’s Show goes back to the early 13th century.
King John granted that the City of London could appoint its own Mayor — but insisted that each newly-elected Mayor come upriver to Westminster to swear loyalty to the Crown.
Lord Mayors of London have been making that journey for over 800 years.
Infuriating scenes in Amsterdam. They make my blood boil. Feels like Europe 1939!
Mobs waiting for Jews. There was a video of some guy begging for his life and offering the assailants his wallet and possessions while they kick him to the ground, or the video of the mob chasing down and beating a Jew in broad daylight, or the video of the lynch mob demanding to see a man’s passport as to whether he is Jewish or not so they know whether to beat him up. Or being forced to jump into canals to save themselves.
Over 60 arrests, and Jews were even told to shelter in places to be safely evacuated.
The Dutch PM has already condemned this as a deliberate antisemitic attack.
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Some people may say that the Israeli football fans “antagonised” people with their shouting and tearing down flags etc. However, no amount of stupid, angry, or disrespectful chants (or bad behaviour) justifies beating-up anyone from that country that we can find, and throwing them into the river etc.
What happened cannot be attributed to everyday hooliganism.
It was open violence against Jews & Israelis.
Wow. Trump has done it again.
An incredible political comeback. I gotta say ... my hat’s off to him.
The Trump trifecta! ... The Executive, the Senate and perhaps the House. He even won the popular vote.
He will definitely go into the history books. I can’t think of anyone - wealthy, famous or both - who has his guts and doesn’t just quit.
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Why did Harris lose?
Apart from Trump’s zealous base, I don't think that this was a vote for Trump — rather a vote against Obama/Biden/Harris than anything else.
Some of the defeat must be laid at the feet of the Democratic establishment; but Harris is really the beau idéal of “identity politics” and Obama’s “progressivism” legacy.
Why was it a resounding defeat for Harris?
V. shocked to see protesters and flood survivors throwing mud & rocks at King Felipe VI.
They shouted insults at him when he visited their devastated town. V. sad & tragic.
But it’s also shameful of these Spaniards to behave like this.
The people should be furious with the president of the Valencian government (Mazón) and the National President (Pedro Sánchez). It seems the regional government was informed of the flooding danger in the early morning, but refused to act until the flooding had already been going for a while. And ... then Mazón denies help from firefighters and rescue teams from other parts of Spain. He also refuses to call in the Army. Incredible incompetence. State of emergency should have been declared so the military could act much quicker and at full force. It’s been 5 days with little aid & only 1200 military for a flooding that affected 450k citizens.
The King came to speak to the people — while the other two hid in their armored cars.
Respect the king.
Spain is a constitutional monarchy. The King - as Head of State - has no actual power. He can only seek to sway the government.
And yet, he actually faced people ... so he genuinely cares.
I think Harris is going to win.
I think it seems to lean her way, women will turn out for her, and abortion is a big issue.
Trump’s polling bumped up briefly following the assassination attempt, but that didn’t translate into any sustained enthusiasm. Moreover, from what I’ve seen, the number of Republicans who will definitely vote for him has declined over the last two months. This is because people who like Trump tend to love him — but right-leaning voters (that don’t love him) tend to be turned off by him. His path to victory relies on a surge of Republican turnout across the board; and I don't think he can generate it.
Perhaps even more importantly, I think the January 6th insurrection was a serious scandal which left many voters with existential worries concerning Trump being in power again. Its aftermath has motivated voters against him & caused many more moderate right-leaning voters to sit this election out.
Harris is dreadful ... Trump is terrible.
What a choice!
The leader of HM Official Opposition has been elected.
The Tories have their 4th woman leading them.
Culture wars
On the first issue, the culture wars seep into the fabric of our nation. I think patriotic pride (in our nation, our imperial history, our Royal Family) along with the need for a strong defence and secure borders are the foundations of Conservatism. It’s about being proud of the journey and progression of our small island, and the number of times we lead the way for other nations around the world.
Our culture defines our broader shared system of values. Their defence should be the basis for uniting the Right against the endless left-wing “identity politics” rhetoric and its stranglehold over the public sector. Britain has an incredible history. We shaped the world. There is no squeaky-clean spotless national history. But, if one adopts a measured perspective of both good and bad, I think we should be proud as a force for good in the world.
Immigration
On immigration, the huge levels of immigration really worry me. A shared identity and values and the feeling that we’re looking out for each other’s interests is important. For some time, I’ve had the feeling we’re unravelling into a miscellany of various tribal interests.
We’ve also rarely had a sensible conversation on the issue — and that’s because of the “omg that’s racist!” crowd derailing its every opportunity.
I preferred Jenrick on this issue. I like his tougher approach to the huge mass immigration problem, including withdrawing from the Convention on Human Rights, which was a centrepiece of his leadership campaign. He was a breath of fresh air. Mrs Badenoch served in senior positions in two v. unconservative governments.
I’m not sure whether she can deal with the massive immigration problem.
And that alone gives Reform all the space it needs to occupy the centre-right.
This painting is an incredible masterpiece.
It depicts the mother of Darius - the Persian King - pleading with their conqueror Alexander the Great for mercy.
After the death of Titian, Tintoretto and “Paolo Caliari” succeeded him as the preeminent painters of Venice. Paolo was known as “Veronese” as he was born in the city of Verona. I have been to Venice and their works adorn the churches, palaces, villas. But Veronese’s vast frescos and canvas really engraved on the European imagination a vision of Venice shimmering with pearls and precious stuffs.
Firstly, it is huge. Expansive.
Secondly, Veronese weaves such rich & saturated hues against some rather ghostly shadows. It’s so dramatic and engrossing. We are almost implicated in the Queen Mother’s desperate beseeching.
The dresses and capes (à la Venetian doges), and operatic Roman dress illustrate the brilliance and sheer magnanimity of Alexander the Great.
Alexander the Great spared the Queen Mother, wife and children.
Alexander’s gesture towards the fellow near him (“Hephaestion”) arises from the Queen Mother, Sisygambis, prostrating herself in front of Hephaestion mistaking him for Alexander. Alexander’s negligent gesture betokens a humility
Details:
Veronese is a personal favourite of the High Renaissance. He doesn’t get the praise I think he deserves, and I think he’s totally arresting and compelling.
His highly stylised compositions with captivating use of colours and decorative details & qualities make for a glorious feast on the eyes. Also, his compositions are enormous. They can feel a little disarming.
He can capture a dramatic historical/classical moment, or make the painting move us beyond the mere “story” it reflects.
His illusionistic tricks wonderfully play with space, architectural detail, and light.
To do justice to Veronese, I have decided to split his works among a number of blog posts.
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Oh my gosh... Really love it.
There’s just so much going on here..., but the eye is drawn towards a shaft of light illuminating the baby Christ. The three Magi (in such startlingly resplendent & opulent robes and garments) kneeling in supplication & in adoration.
The stable in, and over, Roman ruins. A nod to the Christian triumph over the pagan.
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This is an old copy from an earlier post. This version wasn’t very good. I will update it.
As I wrote before:
This depicts the election of a new Bishop. One received a vision of a young-man called Nicholas kneeling. The figures interact in a vista which is completely unrealistic; curtains on one side and an elegant classic column on the other. A young Veronese in the background by the Bishop? And a strange twisted figure - almost falling - in the angel bearing the mitre and crosier.
Overall, I like the surreal claustrophobia of the scene, the expression of horror and shock carved on the body of the Bishop as he seems to recoil and advance at the same.
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The colours and lighting/shadows against the architectural background is incredible.
Mary Magdalene is shown here - fallen to her knees - overcome at the vision/words of Christ.
So beautiful, and the flooring is terrific.
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Love it.
St Helena is the mother of Christian emperor Constantine. She is said to have the vision of the Cross on which Christ was crucified.
From my old note:
St Helena is painted in such opulent colours of Venetian golds, oranges and rouges; and in soft delicate fineness. The green shoulder wrap, and the subtle red brushstrokes towards the bottom of her dress. The brushwork creates such incredible folds in her garments. Her lovely hair, dainty hands, beautiful face and carefree expression make this quite an intimate sensual painting. St Helena is glamorous and irresistible.
I think I like what I wrote.
I also notice how St Helena’s foot is resting against some furniture or projection of the wall. It feels rather like a “modern” depiction of a woman.
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Tremendous painting which was recently acquired by the gallery (2022).
This, it seems, is a rare example of Veronese’s full length head-to-toe portraits.
According to the NG:
Dressed in sumptuous black satin trimmed with ermine and poised against a backdrop of classical column and shimmering green drapery, this full-length portrait conveys the status of the sitter. He is thought to be a member of the Soranzo, one of Venice’s leading noble families, for whom Veronese worked throughout his career.
For me, I love the combination of the elegant and sumptuous - but dolorous use of colours, rather austere deportment, and his impassive and distant gaze to convey an aloof reserve and dignity. An “inherent” nobility and worth.
Terrific.
Wow!
I’ve just returned home from seeing the new horror film “Smile 2” today with my friend Karen.
I saw it at the Leicester Square Odeon theatre. Managed to bag a 2 tickets for £15.
And - boy oh boy! - it’s intense, v. scary and brutal.
It’s a sequel to the 2022’s “Smile” film which, in my view, takes it to a whole new level of scare/horror with the terrific performance of Naomi Scott as “Skye Riley” (the central character) and the noticeable raising of the stakes.
The fact that, in the film, Skye has the persona of a world famous pop star adds to the stress and tension which comes from her day-to-day “star” lifestyle and its demands. Since she has a well-developed character, it makes her turmoil so “real”. (I couldn’t really watch the teleprompter scene).
It makes her unfolding even more torturous. The stakes seem much higher in this film due to (1) the existence of “Morris” (Peter Jackson) who has a plan to work with Skye and destroy the demon in time, while (2) having to please her legion fans, managers, mother, and friends. (For reference, I think her first interaction with Morris was real, but she missed her opportunity.)
The film’s depiction of the “pop star” reality creates a beautiful esthetic. Her outfits, hairstyle, and amazingly choreographed dancing are gorgeous.
There is a v. interesting insight into the demonic lore of the entity. It mixes the supernatural with biology as an allegory on trauma. To me, it seems as though this demon behaves like a virus. Skye is merely a “host” for this malignant entity to “use”; and then, after use, it spreads to the next person killing the earlier host. Its true origins though remain mysterious.
Like the original film, the demon seems to enjoy mentally torturing the victim. It creates elaborate and complicated delusions which forces the viewer to question what was reality as opposed to illusion. This confusion and chaos combined with a veritable rollercoaster-ride of jump scares makes for a film you can’t look away from ... while also having to cover your eyes.
There is an escalating horror and so much gore. I had to look away often. And the ending scene will leave jaws on the floor. When horror films seem to be more of a miss thesedays, this film is a very strong hit.
I definitely recommend it for any horror nerds.
Great viewing for Halloween!
Rating: 4.5 ★★★★★
The IDF killed Yahya Sinwar.
This piece of trash was evil incarnate and utterly irredeemable.
The man who orchestrated the mass killings, rape and kidnappings of October 7 — and Hamas’ human shield strategy — finally got what he deserved.
We also shouldn’t forget that, in 1989, he was sentenced to several life sentences - not because he murdered Israelis - but because he slaughtered Palestinians.
That’s why he was honoured with the epithet of “The Butcher of Khan Younis” against Palestinians merely suspected of passing information to Israel. “According to Israeli officials, he later confessed to punishing a suspected informer by getting the man’s brother to bury him alive, finishing the job using a spoon instead of a spade.”
As I write this post, I’m thinking of all the people who died because of him — Israelis and Palestinians.
If you’d like to know who cared the very least about Gazan civilian lives, it was Sinwar.
Good riddance.
I hope his death causes Hamas to lay down their arms, hand over the hostages and surrender.
Earlier today, I went to Hyde Park to attend a beautiful, weighty and moving memorial event dedicated to the memory of the victims of the savagery and evil of October 7.
I was so inspired by the faith, courage, persistence, and the love for the Jews and Israelis.
Many of the speakers touched my heart. We were joined by the released hostage Ada Sagi and her son Noam Sagi, the Holocaust survivor Mrs. Mala Tribich, and a few survivors of the Nova music festival.🥹.
So many people attended too — a reminder of the support and love for Israel.
Long live Israel! Am Yisrael Chai!
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Below a few photos:
This post is a few impressionist paintings from my recent visit to the Courtauld.
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This was Manet’s last masterpiece.
Manet was never fully appreciated by the public. He submitted this to the Paris Salon of 1882 to negative reception. Critics just didn’t get it, they found it unsettling. He became disillusioned and ill. In April 1883, he died two weeks, after a leg amputated below the knee, due to syphilitic infection. Monet and Zola would help carry his coffin.
And what a great painting - a complex composition involving a mirror (and, therefore, undoubtedly postulating something about the Parisian 19th century “reality”), and executed quite beautifully. Alluring.
According to the gallery:
In this work, Manet created a complex and absorbing composition that is considered one of the iconic paintings of modern life.
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This was a preparatory work for the masterpiece at the Musée d’Orsay.
It’s very interesting and makes you think.
This painting’s subject was considered shocking and scandalous in its depiction of the “everyday” and unidealised with the inversion of Renaissance traditions of the female figure.
As above, Manet draws inspiration from the contemporary and everyday ordinary people — in opposition to the academy.
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So vivid and beautiful.
Apparently, Manet painted this while staying with Claude Monet over a summer break. Claude Monet’s wife and son are posing along the embankment.
