Walking Walking Walking and Titian

Diana and Actaeon - Titian 

- by the way I wasn't allowed to take any pictures - only the media were - there's encouraging the ordinary punter!

What an exhausting day!   I have just got back from London having spent most of the day walking around central London.   Oh I managed to see three exhibitions that I planned and two that I didn't.   More on the exhibitions I planned to see another day but as for now the exhibitions I didn't plan.

First Titian.   You maybe away that a very wealthy man who inherited some old masters has decided that he wants cash in on the paintings.   Now I have read an account of why he has to do this and I remember thinking the reasons appeared to be genuine.  However I can't remember what they are.    Anyway, we are in the current situation that he wants some money - £100 million to be precise or else he'll sell the paintings and we'll never see them again.   I am sure that this is being uncharitable but having been in the presence of two of the paints this morning I was underwhelmed.   

Perhaps it was because the National Gallery stuffed them into some dreary room.   Or perhaps when I went there it was full of artistic mafia and media types - apparently the big wigs of the National Gallery had decided that today was the day for a big media push.  Well, unfortunately I got into the room at the same time as these other people and looked and looked at the painting...I just couldn't find it in my heart to like painting.

I know that is some sort of mother load for western painting but I am sorry I didn't find it rewarding.    It should be noted that the lighting in the room was appalling.    You couldn't see the colours properly and the spots they were using kept highlighting the canvass pattern whilst at the same time obliterating  the paint that covered it.   Nonetheless, I can't say I think it is worth spending/giving £100 million pounds to a rich man for the privilege of viewing the paintings.   As my son has pointed out £100 million is the underspend on sciences and I feel that is were the money should go.   

On the train home I read that the Lottery heritage fund has decided to spend one year's budget on this painting.   I just wonder what is going to be lost to save the painting.   However, the Evening Standard did make a very interesting  point.   Over the past 12 months many of the leading lights of the art world have made a fortune from selling their back catalogue.   Perhaps they would like to donate this money to help keep this painting?

There that is better.  What I say won't in anyway change anything but it makes me feel better.

As for the other unintended exhibition I went to well I am sorry to say by the time I got to see it I was exhausted - all that walking you see.   Still it was interesting all the same.  The exhibition was the British sculptors’ drawings: Moore to Gormley at the British Museum.   I didn't stay too long but some of the drawings were breath taking.   They were just that drawings but they show why their creators are considered some of the best artists around.  I particularly liked the Anthony Gormley sketch of the angel of the north.