I cannot express how chuffed I was that Botticelli's Pallas and the centaur was on display and that, yes, very excitingly, it was tempera on canvas! Ha, and this work dates from 1482-1485! It did appear well protected with varnish. More information on the painting here.
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| Sandro Botticelli (circa 1482-85), Pallas and the centaur [Tempera on canvas] |
Also, very pleasing was to discover an amazing artist, Evelyn De Morgan. Her work was so finely done and I felt with such understanding of the female form and mind. I don't usually like nude paintings, but De Morgan's Cadmus and Harmonia was wonderful. The way the snake, Cadmus, wrapped around Harmonia was incredible. Reluctantly, I had to drag myself away from the painting in order to let others see it. I also liked the way De Morgan painted flowers and birds in the paintings on display. I am quite desperate to get her book and in fact have just ordered it online (even though I probably really shouldn't spend the money!), but it is a limited edition and I don't want to miss out. Here is the link to the The De Morgan Foundation.
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| Evelyn De Morgan (1877), Cadmus and Harmonia, Oil on canvas |
Ovid’s Metamorphoses (Book IV, 563-603):
With lambent tongue he kissed her patient face,
Crept in her bosom as his dwelling place
Entwined her neck, and shared the loved embrace.
Other exhibitions I perused while in London were Sculpture in the Garden (Pangolin London 13 May 2016-9 July 2016). I particularly liked the Lynn Chadwick and Ann Christopher works.
There was also a fabulous exhibition of Quentin Blake (I love his drawings!) and Shojo Manga: Japanese Girls' Comics in the House of Illustration. Really cheap ticket to see both as well.
Okay, well I must go work on my own silverpoint drawing and get to the ECA degree show this afternoon.
