Happy New Year

By London Bridge.

River Thames, midnight recently.

“Giotto’s genius blooms afresh in Padua”

I would love to share a wonderful article by the historian Robin Lane Fox.

In “Giotto’s genius blooms afresh in Padua” (The Financial Times), he writes about “Joachim’s Dream” by Giotto di Bondone:

Restoration of the biblical frescoes in the Scrovegni chapel reveals the Italian painter to be not just the maestro of human gesture and form but a brilliant botanical artist as well.

Giotto was born in Tuscany. He was active from the 1290s until his death in 1337, not only as a painter but as an architect too, designer of the base of Florence’s multicoloured bell tower beside its cathedral. Modern critics like to decentre famous names and discover neglected talent among their contemporaries. Giotto was a genius, so much so that they tend to skirt around him. I have just checked what Kenneth Clark had to say about him in his wonderful BBC series, Civilisation, first broadcast in 1969. In episode three, Giotto, he declared, “ is one of the supreme painters of the world”.

Wearing a neatly pressed suit with a folded handkerchief in his top pocket, Clark spoke in the Arena chapel in Padua. In early October I stood there too, handkerchief-free in sagging trousers. Clark dwelt on some of the paintings that most captivated me, but said nothing about the items I have learnt to value. He presented Giotto as a master of human gesture, form and painted drama. Indeed he was, but Clark did not say that he was also a master artist of plants.

‘Joachim’s Dream’ Giotto painted borage, chives and a spiny thistle.

I had previously thought of Giotto’s landscapes as bare and rocky, unlike his lively human figures. His Nativity scene shows Mary lying on her side under a wooden roof and engaging with her baby Jesus, but the setting is a barren hillscape in which angels are bringing shepherds the glad news. However, in his Resurrected Christ, Giotto painted plants around Christ’s feet. The excellent restoration of the chapel’s frescoes has brought out the details. Christ has a laurel bush, a strawberry tree, or arbutus, and plants of parsley and dill behind him and a variety of calamintha under his feet. They are painted with exceptional precision. Some of the leaves on the parsley are yellow, just as in older age.

In ‘Joachim’s Sacrifice’, a goat eats a pink-flowered
clover; nearby is a marigold and a chamomile.

When Giotto painted The Dream of Joachim, father-to-be of the Virgin Mary, he also put in individual plants, this time on a rocky hill; borage, chives and a spiny thistle. When Clark discussed it in close-up, he ignored them. In the previous scene, Joachim’s Sacrifice, Giotto painted a goat eating a pink-flowered plant in the foreground. It is a clover, exactly painted, and around it there is a marigold and another chamomile.

Genius is capable of almost anything in its field: Giotto, I now realise, is a brilliant botanical artist. How and why did he paint particular plants? His Resurrected Christ is the Christ whom Mary mistook for a gardener. I do not think that he therefore showed plants behind him. Nor does Maria Autizi, one of the restorers who worked at close quarters on Giotto’s paintings.

Giotto in the Louvre

Huge fan of Giotto. A genius of an astounding ouvre. I’ve already discussed his “Pentecost” at the National Gallery, London.

Below are some of his masterpieces at the Louvre.

His art functions today as it did in his day - tell the story of Christ and Biblical tales - but I find them aesthetically beautiful and appreciate the affected humanism/drama.

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The Crucifixion by Giotto

Jimmy Carter (1924-2024)

President Carter is well before my time, so I only know what I’ve read about him over the years.

I think he was a misunderstood president who occupied the office of the Presidency during a particularly turbulent period - e.g. the Iran hostage crisis and inflation.

He was a dignified man who’s passing reminds us of a time when public discourse was a lot more respectful & dignified. 

Probably, the last decent American president ... and one of the few in recent history NOT to increase his net worth by million after their presidency. That says a lot to me.

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Update: I found this Channel 4 new piece “Jimmy Carter: how he’s eradicating the guinea worm”:

Fra Filippo Lippi - The Barbadori Altarpiece

I love the early renaissance which doesn’t get as much fanfare as its most celebrated superstars.

And among those are Filippo Lippi. He had a pretty scandalous life (as you’ll see below).

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The Barbadori Altarpiece by Filippo Lippi

Incredible altarpiece at the Louvre.

The Mother Mary (about to sit down?) with Christ at her side on their heavenly throne with ecclesiastical worthies.

Filippo Lippi channels Brunelleschi’s architectural style, complete with round arches and grey stone (pietra serena) which the latter was so fond off.

Dimensions and lines on the floor give us a sense of perspective.

The Labour Party - quangocracy or democracy

I’ve just read a fascinating column by Ms. Ella Whelan. It presented a really interesting argument a propos democracy and governance. 

In “For Starmer, the unelected Blob must always rule over the plebs” (Telegraph), she says:

It’s been 177 days since the Labour Government was elected. And in that time, our new Prime Minister and his MPs have set up at least 25 quangos – almost one a week. 

Take the Office for Budget Responsibility, initially set up as a panic response after the global financial crash to provide what was supposed to be independent and transparent analysis. The OBR’s pronouncements are now treated as gospel by many MPs, who quote it as though its staff should write economic policy, rather than politicians who are answerable to voters.

There’s the headliners like Great British Energy, Skills England and the Independent Football Regulator, the niche like the National Cladding Taskforce and School Support Staff Negotiating Body and the quangos to regulate the quangos, like the Regulatory Innovation Office. Pick an issue and it’s almost guaranteed that some Labour MP has come up with an unelected body to advise on it.

All of this makes Labour’s crocodile tears for democratic change in the House of Lords stick in the craw. The recent row over hereditary peers was our Government’s attempt at looking like it cared about the little people.

How dreadful that these earls, viscounts and barons get a say in the legislative process simply by dint of their bloodline. This cheap shot at unelected lords might be true, but it begs the question as to what right any other lord or baroness has to sit on the plush red seats deciding which laws the great unwashed are governed by.

The Labour crusade against the House of Lords is waged on the putative basis of “protecting” or affirming democracy.

And yet, the same party outsources enforcement of certain policies and decisions to these unelected quangos. They’re government-funded semi-public administrative bodies outside the civil service. The OBR (which was mentioned) is a classic case, but the same with the Climate Change Committee.

It seems to me that many, but not all, quangos are created to shift responsibility and blame elsewhere. It avoids or delays a difficult or embarrassing decision to someone else.

Why is “democracy” critical to the House of Lords — but not to the quangonistas?

The Rise of Reform UK

If there were a general election tomorrow, it seems more people would vote for Reform UK than the Labor party.

Just think about: the governing party has fallen to second position among voter preference within only four months of forming a government. That’s incredible.

Why has the government’s honeymoon been so short? Partly lying about their intended tax rises during the campaign, and partly gas-lighting and feigning hysteria about the state of the economy to justify their taxes. Then, there’s being over generous to public sector workers whilst simultaneously depriving pensioners off their winter fuel allowance. General incompetence & dishonesty. As for the conservatives, they messed up almost every policy area over the past 14 years.

Reform UK is, to some extent, a protest vote expressing general resentment by people left behind.

They’ve been able to tap into disaffection about both major parties and resentment among older voters. People are fed up with the mass and/or excessive immigration. Speaking for myself, I think we’re a little reluctant to admit that the UK needs immigration for the National Health Service, among others. So, something like 50% of nurses in the UK come from overseas. People are also fed-up with the culture of intolerance and discrimination in both the public and private sector (i.e. “DEI” in HR-think). For me, I’m sick of the “wokery” in trashing all-and-every aspect of British heritage and culture.

Traditional Labour voters are supposed to be patriotic English men and women who believe in local communities - as opposed to big corporations. The Labour party has, in recent times, drifted so far that’s unclear what they stand for other than just a name for their core vote.

Ultimately, Reform UK has a low ceiling.

The Farage-Trump nexus is off-putting for many off the middle-of-the-road people. There’s also a difference between opinion polls and actual elections. Finally, Reform UK have unworkable policies. For people coming over by boats, there’s no way France is going to accept them back. Why should they? They’re also a little too anti-environmental. Like the Green Party, I think they offer simplistic solutions to highly complex problems.

Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah from London

St Nicholas Church in Tooting.

Wish all of you, who celebrate, a very Merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah and all Holiday Season joy.

“Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers” at the National Gallery - Pt 3 Which are you favourites?

Note: This is the 3rd final part of my personal write-up of the London National Gallery’s Van Gogh exhibition. See here for Part 1 and Part 2.

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Sunflowers - 1888 (London)

Incredible.  So uplifting and cheerful .

Photos doesn’t do this painting justice. It was part of a series of on a beautiful everyday subject that Van Gogh found alluring.

It looks like a simple painting (and it is) - but there is a life-force and meaning behind it - which I think is why people are drawn to it.

I believe this particular one was painted for Gauguin? (who really admired it). They reflect a warmth in Van Gogh’s yearning for companionship in Arles, which he called “the Japan of the South.” It feels happy.

Van Gogh sculpted these sunflowers out of paint. They protrude off the canvas and the petals are in different stages of wilt and decay.

The texture of the seeds is just magical.

I’m fascinated by the smidgen of reflective white.

Why emblazon the vaze with his forename: emphatic pride?

Beautiful long dash-like brushstrokes for petals.

Heavy thick seeds of various colours spiralling within the flowers.

Christopher Hitchens great talk on Free Speech in Canada

I like Christopher Hitchens and his brother Peter.

He died today (15th December) 13 years ago - 2011.

I found this excellent talk he gave in Canada on free speech.

He didn’t live long enough to deal with cancel culture, online censorship (The Spectator), and (in England) the rise of “Non-Crime Hate Incidents” involving something like questioning an identity which the police determine is motivated by hate as a quasi crime.

The Hannah Arendt Square in the 19th Arrondissement of Paris

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.

“Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers” at the National Gallery - Pt 2

Note: This is the 2nd part reviewing London’s NG’s Van Gogh exhibition. See Part 1.

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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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Starry Night Over the Rhône - 1888

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.

As van Gogh explained:

“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.”

 The vivid colours illuminating the painting.

Blog Name Change - TheGalleryMeerkat.blogspot.com

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 😃

Same past posts, same content, same “character”, same blog followers ... just new name/URL.

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. 😉

Changing blog title & address - your opinions

Hello bloggers,

Please give me some feedback.

For some time I’ve wanted to change the “jeeveshat” title and blog address.

Jeeves is part of the P.G. Wodehouse stories, which isn’t what this blog is about.

Q1) Should I change the blog title & address?

Yes/No.

Q2) Idea to buy my own domain? - so doesn’t have “blogspot.com” at end?

Yes/No.

Q3) Which of these titles/addresses are the best ones (let’s say top 2)?

TwistedArtBlog

AngloArtBlog

WalkInArt  - a bit pretentious? 

LiamsArtBlog

OnceAMonkey

ArtVulture - my favourite, short and snappy, and I like the vulture image.

MonkeyArtBiz

OTHER ........

Q4) Colour scheme - thinking of changing blog theme from green to blue?

Yes/No.

Q5) Current blog post font size - is it too big?

Yes/No. 

Q6) Any other blog changes you think would be good?

...

Tosca at Royal Opera House

I’ve just returned home from seeing Tosca at the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden. 

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 ★★★★★

With my friend Karen during intermission. 😊

Covent Garden in the background.

“Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers” at the National Gallery - Pt 1

Note: This write-up of London’s National Gallery’s major exhibition: “Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers” will be over 3 parts.

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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:

• Amazing capacity as a colourist, and the way he arranges compositions.
• Love the incredible atmospheric scenes rendered & their “life-force” (part 2).
• The expressive brushstrokes in his use of colour in portraitures — not descriptive, but quite expressive and symbolic.

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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).

The Poet, The Portrait of Eugène Boch - 1888

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.”

Close up of Van Gogh’s distinct signature eyes.

Colours harmonious and intense... reaching towards some “inner self” being painted?

The interior’s mirror.

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The Lover, Portrait of Lieutenant Milliet - 1888

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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The Poet’s Garden (Public Garden in Arles) - 1888

Photo: In the clouds

John Prescott (1938-2024)

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. 

ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu and Gallant

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:

1. Intentionality - The problem with the charge of “causing starvation” is that it would require intentionality. I think this would be v. hard to prove. The prosecutor, Khan, would need to prove to at trial that the Israeli government was intentionally starving people in Gaza. That’s ridiculous. It’s clear that Israel has no policy of starvation. There’s no evidence of that. The issue of intentionality is key to the laws of armed conflict. Khan would have to argue that Israel ought to have known that a given policy would lead to starvation. That is a hard factual & legal point to prove.
2. Cost-benefit knowledge - For the “wilful killing”, Khan would need to show that the commanders knew that the scope of civilian casualties would well exceed the military necessity. How can Khan prove such knowledge? Especially since the use by Hamas of civilian infrastructure for military purposes turns those facilities into lawful targets, and the lengths Israel goes to avoid them.
3. Gallant’s “no electricity, no food, no fuel” remarks - A lot may be riding on Gallant’s comments just after Oct-7 on the “complete siege” of Gaza. The Ex-Defense minister’s remarks are not evidence though because they don’t take the form of government orders, protocols, or decisions. Those comments were a PR problem. The IDF operations in Gaza are conducted alongside the IDF Military Justice System and judicial department advisory.
4. The principle of complementary - Any accusation by a Hague prosecutor against any democratic state is supposed to defer to and respect that state’s judicial system - before intervening. The whole point of the ICC is to step in when the judicial system has collapsed (i.e. dictatorships). But, Israel has the Military Advocate General’s Corps which investigates unlawful conduct by the IDF. Yet, Khan opted to cancel his visit to Israel to discuss these matters in favour of his well-publicised applications for arrest warrants. 

I don’t see how he can prosecute his case. 

Eight hours at the musée du Louvre

Hi bloggers,

Yes, I spent all of yesterday at the Louvre.

I saw the museum's entire Italian renaissance collection (so much joy 🥹) , French romantic and academic works, so much Dutch art (loads of Rembrandt and Frans Hals) and some Ancient Egyptian.

Didn't see anything else.

Then, went back to the hotel for dinner and collapsed in bed.

Me and my partner. 

He got tired half way and went back. And I stayed, like a pilgrim! 

Musée d'Orsay

Hello bloggers

I'm at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. 🥳

This is the central hall of the former train station.

Heretic (2024) - film review

Recently went to see this film at the cinema. It was good. 

“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 ★★★

The John Smyth scandal and Justin Welby

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.

The Lord Mayor’s Show procession

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.

Amsterdam violence against Israeli football fans

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.

President Trump’s election victory

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?

1. The party’s obsession with identity politics - The overt racial pandering exhibited during Biden’s term, incl. discriminatory covid relief in the name of “equity”, was deeply off-putting to ordinary everyday Americans. Also things like defunding police, cashless bail etc. Then, there’s fear of the Party’s radical base: such as Harris passing over Josh Shapiro (the v. popular governor of Pennsylvania) as VP. His Jewishness and vocal support for Israel were probably unpalatable to the extreme left among the Dems. The obsession with gender issues, e.g. forcing girls to share locker-rooms with 180-pound bearded males angling to make a point. The seeming indifference to the victims of illegal migrant crimes etc.
2. Harris is a bad candidate and a product of “identity politics” - Harris was an offspring of Biden. Produced by Jim Clyburn’s tilting of the 2020 South Carolina Democrat primary away from Bernie Sanders by telling the “black bloc” to vote for Joe. And, as for political acumen, when asked if there was anything she would change from Biden, she could think of nothing?!
3. Biden stepped down late & immediately anointed Kamala Harris - Surely at least a 3-4 week search for other candidates. Even Obama wanted a DNC without Kamala as “the” candidate. I suspect that there was no way of sidestepping Harris without incurring the wrath of progressive women and blacks.
4. Democrats hiding Biden’s mental decline - The Dems imagined no-one would notice a brain-dead President.
5. Reductio ad Hitlerum - People who compares Trump to Hitler/Mussolini can’t be taken seriously v. seriously. It’s the repurposing of historical events to try and fit them into modern day narratives, and it just doesn’t really work as far as understanding Trump. It diminishes credibility and the legitimate criticisms against Trump. 
6. Lawfare Pursuit of Trump - Trump’s enemies insisted on making the news cycle revolve around him from the day he left office. They kept him in the public eye giving credence to his underdog status, fighting the “corrupt establishment”.

Spanish King Felipe showing courage and accountability

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.

November 5 US election bet - Harris will win

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!

Kemi Badenoch - new leader of Conservative Party

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.

Photo: Staircase

Photo: Under the Dome of the National Gallery

“The Family of Darius before Alexander” by Paolo Veronese

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:

 

The Roman dress of Alexander the Great, and his curly hair.

The earnest look on the Queen Mother's face.

 

As ever, Veronese includes a charming canine against a little boy.

Ghostly horses against Roman pillars.

 

Love the primate as an exotic oriental detail.

Those little dogs seem terrified, as the boy himself being consoled.

Paolo Veronese masterpieces at the National Gallery

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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The Adoration of the Magi

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.

I am struck by the sheer sumptuousness of the garments (including the Madonna).

Gorgeous, rich ... angelic.

Angel heads, with bird-like wings, flying past a pagan ram’s 

head (which has shrubs growing out of it).

An observant dog at the corner is a recurring theme.

The roman numerals MDLXXIII refers to the year of the painting.

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The Consecration of Saint Nicholas

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 Conversion of Mary Magdalene

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.

The symmetry in the colours of Christ & Mary Magdalene is contrasted by their expressions.

Stoicism against “overwroughtness” ... I am not sure what Mary’s face and posture indicate,

but she seems distraught.

Note: her jewellery broken and slipping of her neck.

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The Dream of Saint Helena

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.

What a beautiful face, slightly bewitching ...

and there’s something engaging in the way she rests her head in her hand.

Also, the brushstrokes of luminescent whites and yellows create such

luxurious and regal garments.

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Portrait of a Gentleman of the Soranzo Family

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.