Lichtenstein: A Retrospective, Exhibition Review

           Roy Lichtenstein was one of the most famous and influential figures of the American pop art movement, and you can see a large portion of his work at a special exhibition at the Tate Modern Museum. Lichtenstein defined the premise of pop art through his use of parody, which is reflected in his homages and recreations of famous art styles and paintings. He is perhaps most well known for his concept of painting inspired by comic strips, advertising, and mass/pop culture imagery. The exhibition is organized in a way that places the focus on Lichtenstein's art; the white walls and categorized rooms allow you to easily navigate his work and see his progression in style. Lichtenstein's paintings varied from his take on brushstrokes, to pop art featuring pop culture figures like Mickey Mouse, to black and white images, and to Chinese-inspired landscapes. This is a fascinating and surprisingly in-depth exhibition that is well worth the entry fee.

Look Mickey, Lichtenstein

            Lichtenstein was known for referencing other forms of art in his work and through his parodies almost deconstructing the art form itself. For example, his series of brushstroke paintings are seen as parodies of abstract expressionism that were popular in American art in the 1950's. Whereas other artists such as Jackson Pollock sought to present their brushstrokes as impulsive, Lichtenstein showed the brushstroke as the result of a carefully controlled act. His paintings in this series are also a prime example of how color and perspective can be used in abstract expressionism to create different images. Lichtenstein's early paintings in room 2 showcase his early foray into paintings' featuring cartoon imagery and a comic-book style aesthetic. His 1961 painting Look Mickey was an artistic breakthrough for him, as it set the precedent for his future pop art paintings. Lichtenstein would mimic popular art while applying his own aesthetic and formal order to his paintings. Writing of pop art and Lichtenstein, the critic Roland Barthes said “There are two voices, as in a fugue. One says 'This is not Art'; the other says, at the same time, 'I am Art.'” This quote serves as an accurate description of Lichtenstein's art, as at first glance it appears to be nothing more than homage and pop culture pastiche, but when you look closer you see that it also provokes emotion in you and reflects the Lichtenstein's own artistic sensibilities.

Brushstroke, Lichtenstein

            Lichtenstein's work on landscapes and seascapes are unique in how they bare down the elements of the sea and sky to a series of horizontal lines and pointillism inspired circles. The result is a series of almost abstract representations of landscapes. A couple of my favorites from this section include Sea Shore and Sunrise. Both paintings exhibit the features that would come to define his landscape work: bright, contrasting colors, many circles forming the background, and a comic-book aesthetic. This comic-book look would apply to the rest of his art styles, and you can see how he mixes his style with the artists of the past he admires. Lichtenstein himself stated that “the things that I have apparently parodied I actually admire.” His appreciation for these works is seen in his interpretations of famous works, where he applies his pop aesthetic to traditionally high-art pieces, challenging views of what is art and what is simply “low-art” parody. For example, Lichtenstein's 1963 painting Femme d'Alger transforms Picasso's 1955 painting Women of Algiers into an abstract piece of pop art. The original qualities that made Picasso's piece so unique remain intact, yet Lichtenstein is also able to give the painting new life through his take on the piece. This parody of traditional art forms is also seen in Lichtenstein's interpretations of the nude. His painting Blue Nude shows how he applies a pulpy, erotic appeal to what is traditionally seen as a noble art form. At the same time, the piece remains a beautiful painting as well. The starkness of the woman's features such as her bright green eyes, blonde hair, and red lips contrast with the dullness of her pale, white body. The final room features perhaps the biggest departure in Lichtenstein's traditional style, as he chose to spend his final years painting Chinese landscapes which were inspired by the simplicity of Chinese art. Paintings such as Landscape with Philosopher and Landscape with Boat retain his pointillism inspired backgrounds while introducing images that recall traditional Chinese calligraphy and floral imagery. By the end of the exhibition, you will have seen a wide variety of art that reflects the artist Lichtenstein, whose singular passion for art is represented by all the images you will see.

Lichtenstein Exhibition, Tate Modern

            Although pop art incites a decisive reaction amongst people, the Lichtenstein exhibition is truly a defining series of paintings that showcases the pinnacle of achievement in the field. Asking people around the exhibition, I got responses from “this is fascinating” and “thought-provoking” to less enthusiastic ones where people relayed an inability to connect to the art or feel anything from it. However, I think if you spend some time here you will see that this art does provoke a response in you, and the exhibition features some of the most interesting art you will see at the Tate Modern.

            -By Phillip Storm, Arts Correspondent, VisitMuseums.com

Hotels in London for your Visit

Van Gogh Museum Review, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Van Gogh Museum Review, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

            Located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the Van Gogh Museum houses the largest collection of paintings and drawings by Vincent Van Gogh in the entire world. The museum, which first opened in 1973, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Amsterdam and is the most visited museum in all of the Netherlands. Two buildings comprise the museum: the Rietveld building and the Kurokawa wing (both are named after the architects who designed them). The Rietveld building is the main building that you should visit, as it exhibits the permanent collection, while the Kurokawa wing is used for major temporary exhibitions. When you first enter the Rietveld building, you will see a modern building, painted in almost all white and separated by three distinct floors that you can reach by a main staircase. The first floor houses Van Gogh's work in chronological order, the second floor features exhibits on the restoration of his paintings, and the third floor features work by Van Gogh's contemporaries that relate to the man himself.

Avenue of Poplars in Autumn, Vincent van Gogh

            Floor one is separated by the different periods that defined Van Gogh's life and work: his early work to 1886, his time in Paris from 1886 to 1888, his time in Arles from 1888-89, his time at Saint-Rémy in 1889-90, and his final days at Auver in 1890. Compared to the vibrancy of much of his later work, Van Gogh's work before Paris is much more muted in color and tone. The color palette of these paintings is dark and filled with shades of gray and black, and many of the images are of people painted in grotesque and unflattering fashion. Some of his paintings like Head of a Woman and Head of a Man exemplify this style, as Van Gogh used peasants as his models and sought to highlight their rough features. Three paintings I recommend you check out from this era are Avenue of Poplars in Autumn, The Potato Eaters, and Skull of a Skeleton With Burning Cigarette. The first painting is notable for its symmetrical qualities and distinct use of color, while the last painting is a humorous image of exactly what the title describes. The Potato Eaters, one of Van Gogh's most famous paintings, depicts a group of peasants eating the potatoes they tilled from the ground themselves. You can see the coarseness and ugliness of the models, which was a deliberate attempt by Van Gogh to show the reality of the peasants who lived this lifestyle. His paintings from his time in Paris show his shift in style as Van Gogh's work erred more to the impressionist style. Here, the color of his paintings are brighter and his portraits are more traditionally beautiful and impressionist in style. From this era, Wheatfield With a Lark is a good representation of Van Gogh's transitioning style. As he moved to Arles, France, Van Gogh would continue to produce some of his most notable works.

Wheatfield with a Lark, Vincent van Gogh

            Bedroom in Arles, Gauguin's Chair, and The Yellow House are three paintings from Van Gogh's time in Arles that you should pay attention to. All three paintings are images from Van Gogh's time at the Yellow House, where he stayed in Arles. The Bedroom is an image of Van Gogh's own room that is remarkable for the use of color and composition. The whole room appears slightly askew, and the contrast in color between the bright yellow and blue creates an image that will hold your eyes. Gauguin's Chair is an example of Van Gogh's still life work, and the way in which he captures the light and shadows reflected by the candle is unique to Van Gogh's artistry. The Yellow House is a simple couple of works that showcase Van Gogh's eye for capturing the same image in multiple ways, as you can see both a watercolor and a painting of the house. As you move on, you will see paintings from the last periods of Van Gogh's life, when he committed himself to a mental-health clinic in Saint-Rémy and later moved out to Auver to be near his personal physician and his brother Theo. His paintings from this time period are characterized as his most impressionistic, and he often painted images of the views he had from where he was staying (The Garden of St. Paul's Hospital and View of Auvers as examples). There are few images of people, and many of his works from this time period are of landscapes and nature. Some of my favorites include the Almond Blossoms series, Wheatfield with a Reaper, and Wheatfield with Crows (I'm a fan of wheatfields obviously). His Almond Blossoms paintings are beautiful depictions of floral imagery and color, while the wheatfield paintings show a contrast in his representation of the fields: one is bright and sunny while the other is dark and gloomy. Wheatfield with Crows was painted in the final weeks of Van Gogh's life, and some consider it to be his final work and a reflection of his coming end. Although there is a nightmarish quality to the painting (Van Gogh wanted to express sadness and extreme loneliness) it also retains a magical quality that is evident in his other famous works such as Starry Night. Overall, the first floor is laid out in the perfect way for you to explore the gradual shifts in Van Gogh's style as his career progressed.

Bedroom in Arles, Vincent van Gogh

            The second and third floor are also worth visiting as they relate to Van Gogh and also show his influence on art in his lifetime. On the second floor you can see how restoration keeps a painting vibrant and in excellent condition, and you can learn how the restoration process attempts to keep the original impact of the painting largely intact. The third floor contains many works by some of Van Gogh's contemporaries, including Paul Gauguin, Manet, Monet, and Paul Signac. These range from impressionist and post-impressionist art, to paintings depicting Van Gogh himself. For those who love art and find themselves endlessly fascinated by Van Gogh's work, a trip here is a must on your visit to Amsterdam.

            -By Phillip Storm, Arts Correspondent, VisitMuseums.com

Hotels in Amsterdam for your visit 

Churchill War Rooms Review, London

Churchill War Rooms Review, London

            Seeping with history and echoes of life, the Churchill War Rooms is a museum where you can walk the same halls that Churchill and many other unsung heroes walked in the midst of WWII. The Museum is split into two different sections: the Cabinet War Rooms, an underground complex that housed a British command center led by WinstonChurchill, and the Churchill Museum, a place dedicated to telling the whole life of the famed leader. To enter the museum you have to take some steps underground, where you will get a glimpse of what life was like for those who once worked here.

Winston Churchill

            When you first enter you will see the War Cabinet Room, where Churchill and his associates plotted their plan of action during the war. This is the room where Churchill made his most important decisions regarding wartime strategy, and in total 115 meetings occurred here from 1940 to 1945. The rooms here have been left exactly how everything looked when Churchill worked here; the tables are lined with papers and figures of workers sit and stand over the tables. The bunker itself is a labyrinth of tight corridors and rooms where everyone worked under stressful conditions and threat of bombings. The bunker serves as a reminder that even the men and women who were leading Britain during the war didn't live in luxurious conditions; the living quarters are small and the beds look like little more than small cots. Some other rooms of note include the Transatlantic Telephone Room and the Map Room.

Cabinet War Rooms

            In the Telephone Room, Churchill and Roosevelt made top secret phone calls to discuss the war. The phone was encrypted with a top level speech security system that prevented Axis powers or spies from intercepting the calls. The Map Room was the most important hub of information in the entire building. The map room is filled with color-coded telephones and important documents, and wax figures are displayed working here. The Map Room was always manned by military officers, who collected the daily information and sent updates to Churchill, the King, and Military Chiefs of Staff. Right next to the Map Room, you can see Churchill's personal quarters, although it is noted that he rarely slept there. Churchill regularly worked 17 hour days and preferred to sleep above ground. The personal quarters you can see here are fascinating to observe for their simplicity and minimalist quality. The people working here were dedicated to the war-time cause and this is reflected in their working quarters.

Churchill Museum

            The other popular exhibit that separates the Cabinet Rooms and the Churchill Museum illustrates the lives of those who worked under Churchill. The room features written stories, personal objects, and video interviews of former employees (taken from the present day) to tell the story of life in the bunker. The multiple perspectives on Churchill tell a similar story: he was intense and demanding, but ultimately he inspired loyalty and admiration in his colleagues. Some of the objects tell interesting stories as well; for example you can view a sun lamp box that was designed to give workers compulsory daylight exposure, since they spent most of their days underground. This section of the museum really exemplifies the human spirit that went into the war effort. The sense of camaraderie and  purpose that guided the men and women here is evident in the stories you will read. I highly recommend spending some time here reading their accounts and watching some of the interviews.

Cabinet War Rooms Entrance

            The last section of the museum is dedicated to the life of Winston Churchill. There are objects from his personal life, writings, and interactive exhibits that detail his life from his birth and upbringing, to his early political career and time as Prime Minister, to his later days as a distinguished statesmen. This is the best place to learn all about Churchill, for you will learn about his upbringing and early political tribulations that forged him into the man who led Britain through the war. Churchill was born to an aristocratic family in Blenheim Palace, but his parents spent most of his childhood on the fringe of his life. Later on, his political ambitions were tempered in the abdication crisis of Edward VIII, where he chose to support Edward's desire to marry the twice divorced Wallis Simpson. However, Churchill brought himself back up by tackling Hitler and the war head on, in direct contrast with his predecessor Neville Chamberlain. The amount of information here is startling; one interactive touch screen exhibit lists correspondences and events from his political and personal life throughout history. The depth of the information in this section of the museum is extensive, and for Churchill scholars this is one place you can't miss on your visit to London.

            The museum captures the mood of the time incredibly well. Part of the experience being here is walking the same halls that Churchill once walked. It is an undeniable thrill to walk the halls of Britain's former wartime leader. Overall, the museum offers a unique experience of life during wartime, and the trials of the people working here.

            -By Phillip Storm, Arts Correspondent, VisitMuseums.com

London Hotels for your visit

Tamara de Lempicka Exhibition Review, Pinacotheque de Paris

Tamara de Lempicka – The Queen of Art Deco - Pinacotheque de Paris

Tamara de Lempicka

          Enter the strong, emancipated, sexy and elegant world of Art Deco and Tamara de Lempicka! The Pinacotheque museum in Paris presents us with a comprehensive and intense outlook into the style, art and complete way of life that was to herald one of the most exciting eras of the century and explains how Tamara de Lempicka exemplified it. We see how gradually Art Nouveau is to be replaced with the Art Deco movement and how the representation of the female body was to have a massive transformation. Lempicka’s ideal of the female/male body came into play; known as the garconne, and we see her status develop from her early paintings into the veritable Queen of Art Deco that she became.

          In 1934 Lempicka claimed not to belong to any specific culture or country; she moved to Paris where many like her had fled in search of a better life and lived the life of a Russian immigrant whilst adopting the surname of her Polish husband. Small watercolours that she had produced during her teens can be seen for the first time, for example her vivid ‘Still life with mandarines’. We see even then there was already a marriage of extreme modernism with classical purity in her work. There was a huge reaction after the war to the hardships and struggles people had endured and Tamara de Lempicka cleverly demonstrated this whilst also celebrating Modern Man and the joie de vivre that could be found in the Parisian theatres and nightlife. The modern woman was emancipated, independent and often transsexual. Lempicka mainly painted portraits of woman and they were strong, vital woman seen in the solemn ‘Widower’ and ‘The Bohemian’. We learn that she often used a model called Iva Perrot as her femme fatale. Iva is portrayed in ‘Sa Tristesse’ and it is an almost startling portrait of a lady with red hair and an intense look in her eyes, wearing a beautiful, sumptuous scarf  against the background of a black jagged tree.

          Lempicka soon became famous for her voluptuous nudes and semi dressed women. In ‘Nu aux voiliers’ we see how the painting is almost photographic; the woman’s face is both dreamlike and intense, her boobs are painted in a cubist style and she is altogether sensual and strong. In her large painting ‘La Tunique Rose’ again we have a spectacularly sensual woman who is clearly comfortable in her own skin, lying on her sofa wearing what looks like a sexy red satin nightdress. The amazing light in the portrait highlights what was Lempicka’s signature trait in her art. In her painting ‘The blue scarf’ we see Lempicka portraying the archetypal modern woman: here we have a head and torso of a young woman with a defined greek nose, red painted nails and blonde hair who is sporty, passionate about sailing and conscious of the fashion world; wearing a modern beret. In many ways her face looks more like a photo than a painting.  Tamara Lempicka’s later move to the United states of America and her attempts to publicise her work and to stage a platform of her ideals in the 1940’s are also explored in the exhibition.

          We see clearly how life and art are intermingled in Tamara de Lempicka’s work so that they can’t be separated from each other. She lived in a cosmopolitan city and era and managed to combine the sensuality and splendour of life yet with a feel for spirituality and poverty. One cannot leave the museum without visions of her spectacular female portraits and nudes still in your mind. It should most definitely be at the top of your ‘want to see’ exhibitions.

It may also be of interest to know that the Pinacotheque is wheelchair friendly with lifts at every stage of its museum and you can ask for English translations to help you with each aspect of the show.

Tamara de Lempicka Exhibition Review, by Larissa Woolf, Arts Editor, Visitmuseums.com

Hotels in Paris for your visit

Hampton Court Palace Review, Greater London

Hampton Court Palace Review, Greater London

Hampton Court Palace

            Hampton Court Palace is most certainly one of the most beautiful palaces in England and on a clear and sunny day it is one of the most serene places to spend an afternoon. Originally built for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in 1514, the palace eventually passed to King HenryVIII and turned into his personal pet project. The palace was inhabited by Henry and the Tudor Dynasty, and later on by The Stuarts. This is reflected in the sharp contrast in design in the palace; Henry VIII's designs, including the Great Hall, are built in a medieval style while the Tudor designed areas of the palace are fashioned in the baroque style. The palace also features some of the most stunning gardens you will see anywhere, as the style of the grounds rivals Versailles in its intentions.

Hampton Court Palace Gardens

            There is much to see in the massive grounds of this palace, and fortunately it is all laid out in a way that is easy to navigate. I'd recommend dividing your time between everything on the outside grounds (the maze, the gardens, the Royal Tennis Courts) and then all the different rooms inside the palace. When you enter the palace grounds, turn to your left and make your way to the maze and the gardens. Even this general outside area is lovely to walk through; birds chirp, there are colorful flowers everywhere, and the grass and trees remain tall and green. Its like being in an idealized forest, and it really is a testament to how well the grounds are maintained. The Hampton Court Maze is a little underwhelming in terms of the actual difficulty of the maze (don't worry, your odds of getting lost in the maze are very low), but it is still a fun little sight to see. The maze was planted in 1690 for William III and it covers a third of an acre. The paths of the maze are very narrow, so you will be crossing paths with other maze-goers frequently. When you reach the center you will see a little plaque congratulating you and offering you some more information on the history of the maze.

Hampton Court Palace Maze

            Once you depart the maze you must head over to the gardens. This area of the palace grounds is like walking through a beautiful park that is fitting for any relaxing scenario: a walk, a picnic, or even a nap on the grass. There are numerous flower beds of varying colors and flower type for you to see. The colors are so vibrant that it is paramount that you get some flower photographs while you are here. My personal favorite had to be the bed of dark blue flowers with bright orange-red petals. Throughout the day there is a lot going on at the Gardens: there are workers dressed in garb from the period doing performances that you can join in on and horse-carriage rides you can take. In addition, there is a beautiful fountain at the center of the park and even little brooks where ducks and swans roam. And for a different style you can walk around the Palace's various sunken gardens, which feature multiple flowerbeds tucked together in a visually pleasing design. Here at Hampton Court, the grass is so green, the trees are so shaved and styled, and the flower beds are so well maintained that the gardens really end up as some of the prettiest sights in all of London. 

Hampton Court Palace Aerial View

            When you are ready to head inside you will find out that there is still so much to see. The Great Hall is large and looming, and you can walk down the same halls that Henry VIII once walked down. The Great Hall is especially notable as the last and most grand of England's medieval style halls. Henry's section of the palace features various paintings of his family and members of his royal court, and you will find a wealth of information about the Tudors. One of the highlights is a recreation of Henry VIII's crown (destroyed after the abolition of the monarchy in 1649) held in the Royal Pew. Adorned with lavish diamonds, the crown is a testament to the power of the British monarchs. Henry VIII remains one of the most popular and fascinating of all the British monarchs, and if his reign interests you at all then you should see the rooms dedicated to his early life. These rooms focus less on objects and architecture, and more on pure knowledge. Here you can learn all about Henry the boy to Henry the King and husband.

Great Hall, Hampton Court Palace

            Possibly the most opulent part of the palace would be Mary's State Apartments. Here is the palace's exhibit titled Secrets of the Royal Bedchamber. You will get to see the Royal Family's various bedrooms (it really is shocking how many different lavish beds one person can own...) and learn all about the bedchamber rituals and even the politics that went on both in the private and the court life of the bedroom. These rooms contain luxurious beds and blankets with paintings and portraits of the monarchy hanging right aside that are all tied together by the stately baroque design. One aspect that I found surprising about most of the beds is just how tiny they were; you figure the Royal Court would want king-size beds but if I were to sleep on one of those beds my feet would be hanging off.

Hampton Court Palace Interior

            At Hampton Court, there is really so much to see that its best that you plan to spend at least a few hours there. There are other notable sights of the Palace worth seeing, including William's Apartments and the kitchens that Henry VIII built. In addition, there is a wonderfully unique room in the palace that more tourist places should include. The room features a large number of beds from the time period that you can lay and rest on. The mattresses, which are all incredibly comfortable, sit on the floor and as you lay in the dim light of the room the ceiling plays a video showing you the history of the Tudor Dynasty. A truly great idea. If you are looking to experience the beauty and grandiosity of an English palace, then I'd say look no further than Hampton Court.

            -By Phillip Storm, Arts Correspondent, VisitMuseums.com

Hotels in London for your visit

Science Museum Review, London

Science Museum Review, London

            Located on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, alongside the National History Museum and the V&A, the ScienceMuseum is filled with objects that show the depths of human knowledge and scientific progress. Compared to the more grandiose style of the other museums on Exhibition Road, the Science Museum is very modern; models of planes and cars hang from the ceilings while the building recalls a giant exhibition hall. When you first enter the museum you will come upon the East Hall, where you will find 3 floors of steam engines and other objects that tell the story of Britain's industrial revolution.

Science Museum, London

            Amongst a gallery of iconic steam engines, one that really stands out is one of the earliest known beam engines, Old Bess. Old Bess was constructed in 1777 and used until 1848. It is the earliest known surviving Watt steam engine, and it is important for its role in the eventual development of the steam engine. The floor holds other notable examples of steam engines, and the museum does a good job of showing the progression of the steam engine technology, one that eventually became the main source of power for industry and transport by the end of the 19^th century. Speaking of transport, I'd recommend that you see the early locomotives the museum holds as well. The museum does a fine job of separating its varied objects into themed categories, and you can find Stephenson's Rocket (an early steam locomotive) over in the Making the Modern World Gallery.

Stephenson's Rocket

            Stephenson's Rocket, constructed in 1829, was incredibly innovative in its design for the time, and it came to be the template for most steam engines in the next century. Stephenson designed his locomotive to have two large driving wheels in the front and two smaller trailing wheels in the back. The lack of any leading wheels made the wheel design 0-2-2. Other innovations in Stephenson's design include the blastpipe and the use of multiple boiler fire-tubes. The other early locomotive you should see is called Puffing Billy. Currently the world's oldest surviving steam locomotive, Puffing Billy was in use from 1814 to 1862, when it was sold to the Science Museum where it still remains today. Also worth seeing is the Apollo 10 module, which serves to show how far human technology regarding travel has come.

Apollo 10 Capsule

            One of the other interesting galleries to see is the Flight Gallery on the third floor. Here, you will find several full sized airplanes and helicopters, as well as numerous aero-engines. You will find lots of information about the history of flying, and once again the museum does an excellent job at showing the progress humans have made in aviation from the early days of flight to now. Some of the notable aircrafts include the Vickers Vimy, the WWII fighter planes Spitfire and Hurricane, and the full-size slice of a Boeing 747. The Vickers Vimy was the first aircraft to cross the Atlantic Ocean nonstop, and the actual plane flown by Alcock and Brown in June 1919 is preserved here.

Spitfire

            One of the most popular exhibits also resides on the third floor, and it is one that really gets at the “science” of the Science Museum. Launchpad is a gallery that features over fifty interactive exhibits including live shows and experiments put on by the staff in red shirts, who are more than pleased to answer any of your questions regarding the exhibits. Launchpad focuses on the physical sciences, and the exhibits are designed to show you how things work. For example, the exhibit Grain Pit features plenty of simple machines, from levers to pulleys to axles, and they are all there for you to pull and play with and see how it all works. Although this gallery is very popular with kids and student groups, don't let that put you off from having some fun here if you are older. This is one of the museum's most popular galleries and for good reason.

Launchpad

            The Science Museum is both a traditional museum and one that offers a lot of interactive learning opportunities for those interested in the physical sciences. If you have an interest in understanding the way the world works, then you can come here with a pen and paper and learn a lot. Alternately, if you just wish to enjoy a day in a museum you can come here and check out famous objects from the scientific world and spend some time tinkering with the museum's many interactive exhibits. This is a museum that has much to offer to its visitors.

-By Phillip Storm, Arts Correspondent, VisitMuseums.com

Hotels in London for your visit. 

The National Portrait Gallery Review, London

The National Portrait Gallery Review, London

            Adjoining the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery in London is an art museum dedicated to housing portraits of famous and important British people. The portraits are selected based on the merit of the person being painted, not the artist. Although not all of the portraits here are exceptional artistically, they offer us the chance to see important people from Britain's past who never lived in the age of the camera. In addition, each artist has a different perspective of the subject and is able to bring out the beauty that they see in each individual subject. Since the gallery is so close to the National Gallery, I'd recommend stopping by here if you were already planning on going to the National Gallery. Although the National Portrait Gallery is smaller than the nearby museum of western art, it still offers much to see, especially for those who have a keen interest in the human subject.

National Portrait Gallery, London

            The ground floor of the museum houses the Gallery's collection of modern portraits and commissions. Here you can see portraits of some of the isle's most famous living people, including actors like Judi Dench and Timothy Spall, performers such as David Bowie and Amy Winehouse, and of course British Royalty like Prince Harry. Some of the portraits I recommend that you check out include Bowie's, Dame Maggie Smith's, and the video portrait of David Beckham. Bowie's portrait, by the painter Stephen Finer, is an abstract oil on canvas that really captures the essence of David Bowie, who is ever the enigmatic man. Finer paints his subjects by allowing the paint on his canvas to accumulate over time, after which he continues to work and re-work the paint into an image that he feels is fitting of his subject. Here, the splotches of paint form an image of Bowie that is at once him, but at the same time disconnected and almost puzzling to view. It is a truly interesting piece that will hold your eye for quite some time. On the other hand, the portrait of Dame Maggie Smith is a clear and distinct image that captures the regal woman in a relaxed pose. Smith, known for playing stern characters like Professor McGonagall on the screen, here appears frank and familiar in contrast to her acting persona. The video portrait of David Beckham, by Sam Taylor-Wood, is an intimate portrait of the world famous athlete. Shown sleeping in Madrid after a training session, Beckham appears vulnerable while retaining the physical beauty that he is perhaps more known for nowadays. Lastly, you should check out the much criticized portrait of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge that now hangs in the same room. The portrait has been criticized for making Catherine appear old and tired, and failing to capture her beauty and youthfulness. The painter, Paul Emsley, argues that his portrait captures her sense of warmth and that it has been panned because it is an image of her that is so unexpected. Whatever you may think, I suggest you see it in person if you have the opportunity before you make a final judgment.

The Duchess of Cambridge

            The first floor of the Gallery focuses on portraits from the Victorian-era to more early-modern times. In addition to the Queen and members of her royal court, the opening room of the first floor also houses paintings and busts of other important people from the time, including the archaeologist Sir Charles Thomas Newton, the famous scientist Charles Darwin, and the cardinal and theologian John Newman. The most notable portraits in this room of course are of Queen Victoria herself, and of her husband Prince Albert. The portrait of the young Queen, captures her on the day of her coronation, when she inherited the throne at the age of 18. The painter, Sir George Hayter, sought to capture some of the idealism of Victoria in the portrait here. The portrait of her husband, Prince Albert, is a beautiful painting that captures the Prince in a regal pose of authority that contrasts with the apparently messy background (albeit a still lavish one) he stands in front of. The remainder of the floor focuses less on royalty, so for those who wish to see portraits of kings and queens you should make your way up to the second floor.

Charles Darwin

            The second floor begins with a chronological sequence of British royalty, beginning with a few early medieval kings and the Tudor dynasty, and ending with the Stuarts. Five statues of the English Kings Edward II, Edward III, Edward Prince of Wales, Richard II, and Henry IV grace the entrance to room one of this floor. As you move into the next room, you will be able to view the portraits of many of England's kings and queens from this time period, as well as many important members of the royal court. One portrait of King Edward VI, painted when he was nine, is painted in distorted perspective. When you look at it head on it appears squished and compact, but if you look at it from the right (a hole in the glass will guide you) it appears in the proper perspective. This is the floor I recommend spending the most time on, as it is so well laid out and many of the portraits are beautiful and of very notable people with interesting stories (many of the side notes that accompany the portraits end with “they were executed” in some manner). Some of the portraits you must see are of Queen Elizabeth I and Charles II (for the sheer scope alone) and of course the most famous portrait of William Shakespeare. Hanging in room 4, this is the only portrait of the legendary bard that has any claim to have been painted from life. Interestingly enough, there is even some uncertainty regarding whether or not this painting is of the playwright, although the common consensus is that it is. Overall, while the museum as a whole offers many images for you to see, I found the second floor to be the highlight of the National Portrait Gallery. If you are in the mood for some art, spend a day at the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery as well.

            -By Phillip Storm, Arts Correspondent, VisitMusuems.com

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National Gallery of Art in London Review

National Gallery of Art in London Review

National Gallery of Art, London

            The National Gallery, located at the heart of Trafalgar Square, is one of England's most notable museums of western art. The museum is home to a collection of over 2,300 paintings that hail from the mid-13^th century to the early 20^th century. You can view the work of many famous artists from this time span in this museum, including some of the giants of the Renaissance like Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, as well as some of the most famous impressionist artists like VanGogh, Monet, and Cézanne. The museum itself is designed in a grand manner and both the exterior and the interiors of the museum match the beauty of the paintings hanging on the walls. The museum is designed in a way that is easy to navigate, with the paintings being separated by country of origin, specific artists (such as Van Gogh and Cézanne), or by painting style such as impressionist or Dutch art.

Sunflowers, Van Gogh, National Gallery, London

            Upon entering the museum you will be greeted by a painting from the Queen's own collection, Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna. The oil painting, by the English artist Frederic Leighton, is a prime example of how painters can use composition and symmetry to create a beautiful piece of art. Notice how all the people are framed in the piece and centered around the man in white. Also worth noting is the dome ceiling that you stand under when you enter the building; this in combination with the staircases that move out in four different directions create a regal mood that is fitting for the NationalGallery. I recommend heading to room 45 first to see the museum's collection of paintings by Cézanne, Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Rousseau. Cézanne, whose work was said to bridge the gap between late 18^th century impressionism and early 19^th century cubism, has a number of paintings in this room that you should see. These include two different self-portraits (which show him with varying beard lengths), one of his still life paintings (Still Life With Water Jug), and of course his most famous work which dominates the center of his wall, Bathers (Les Grandes Baigneuses). The painting is one of a series of works by Cézanne which feature abstract nude women bathing against a background. This version is perhaps his most abstract as the background against which the women are bathing cannot even be distinguished. The Van Gogh wall is always crowded, and rightly so, as you will be able to see some of his works like Sunflowers, Van Gogh's Chair, and A Wheatfield, With Cypresses. A Wheatfield is perhaps my favorite of the Van Gogh paintings here, as it really reflects his ability to portray a landscape in a way that is entirely unrealistic while at the same time retaining a sense of humanity and beauty that only he could imagine. Interestingly enough, it was painted near the end of his life when he was a patient at the Saint-Rémy mental asylum near Arles, France. After you check out this room, you should head over to nearby room 43 where you can see some more impressionist art, including some famous works by Manet and Monet.

Bathers, Cezanne, National Gallery, London

            This room illustrates the difference in art style between the two French impressionist painters. Whereas Manet's paintings often feature human subjects, Monet's works here instead depict beautiful landscapes and images from nature. For Manet fans, you should see The Execution of Maximilian and Corner of a Café-Concert, while Monet fans can see a number of his masterpieces, including Snowat Argenteuil and The Water-Lily Pond. Both paintings are a part of a collection of works by Monet depicting the same subject. The former, is the largest of his paintings which show his home commune of Argenteuil, France under a blanket of snow, while the latter is one of 250 paintings by Monet that depicted his flower garden and dominated the end part of his artistic output. There are of course many other fine paintings to see in this room, including a couple pieces by the master Pierre-Auguste Renoir!

            There is so much beautiful art in this museum that in order to fully appreciate it you would have to make multiple trips here. In every room there is a masterpiece by a famous artist, and you are bound to find multiple paintings that will catch your eye and hold your gaze. For those who can't afford to spend the whole day here, I would recommend that you also check out the museum's small collection of works by Michelangelo and Da Vinci, including The Entombment and The Virgin of the Rocks. In addition, the museum houses an excellent and in-depth gallery of works by Rembrandt and other famous Dutch painters that spans multiple rooms. However, for those with a keen interest in art this is a museum that you should definitely plan on spending the whole day getting lost in.

            -By Phillip Storm, Arts Correspondent, VisitMuseums.com

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George Bellows (1882-1925) Modern American Life Art Exhibition – Royal Academy, London

George Bellows (1882-1925) Modern American Life – Royal Academy, London – 16^th March to 9^th June 2013.

            The Royal Academy is hosting an important retrospective of the renowned American Modern artist, George Bellows. It is the first museum in the United Kingdom to display his work and includes all the focal and brilliant paintings that were part of his repertoire. Bellows was energetic, talented and one of the most influential painters of his time. His gritty, dark and intense depictions of New York City demonstrate that he was one of the greatest realist painters of his century.

Royal Academy, London

            Born in Ohio in 1882, Bellows moved to New York in 1904 and joined the New York school of Art where he studied with fellow artists such as Edward Hopper. There he met his soon to be wife and muse Emma Storey and  fell under the influence of his teacher Robert Henri. Both were to have a profound impact on his life and vision. Henri urged his students to move beyond the genteel scene that was favoured by the National Academy of Design and instead to experiment with other formats and subject matters. In response Bellows created powerful and emotional drawings and paintings depicting New York’s poor immigrant population. He was particularly drawn to the children who lived in the Tenements; in impoverished and harsh environments. “Tin Can Bottle, San Juan Hill, New York” is one such painting where he evocatively depicts gangs of unruly boys playing in the streets. Both their unbridled energy and the poverty that surrounded them is clear and Bellows uses lively brushstrokes and complex multi figure compositions. One of his most recognised and famous paintings which uses the same subject is his large canvas “Forty Two kids”. Here we see a collection of mainly thin boys, all in various stages of undress, swimming and jumping in the polluted river. Bellows not only painted groups but was also a talented portraitist. One of the most powerful paintings for me is his ‘Nude Girls– Miss Leslie Hall’. Here he captures both her vulnerability and her street sense; the detail of her leg muscles is remarkable as is her direct languid and tired gaze. The dark sombre background that seems to be invading her cleverly gives the impression of a hard life. Bellows is quite clearly repudiating the academic idealisation that was popular at the time.

Nude Girl - Miss Leslie Hall, 1909, George Bellows

            His talented ability to portray crowds and the faceless soul of the city is outstanding. In his grand painting, “New York” we see the all encompassing heart of New York  with its teeming crowds, high skyscrapers, horse drawn carts and so on. Specific landmarks are combined with generic details and the people are dwarfed by the immense buildings and noise of the great city. The nowhere and everywhere  quality of New York can be felt and we see how Bellows is simultaneously an abstract and realist artist.  Another of his preoccupations was the clandestine world of wrestling. At the time public fighting was outlawed so private clubs would circumvent the state ban and organise brutal fights behind closed doors.  Bellows’ outstanding “Stag at Sharkeys” is his signature masterpiece. Here the incredible power of the human body as the two fighters contort themselves and pit themselves against each other is poignant. One can almost feel and smell the sweat and the blood and hear the shouts of the audience. The red, white and pink of the flesh is gory and compete with the delighted and intense expressions of the crowds watching. Bellows was always experimenting with art and the naked human body was one of the forms he wanted to master as well as the underlying theme of human violence.

Stag at Sharkeys, George Bellows

            Intermingled with these various landscapes of city life are beautiful, poetic paintings that celebrate life and society. One such is Bellows’ depiction of a rainy and wet landscape in “Rain on River” and a small painting entitled “The Big Dory” where we see a picture of a rocky beach on which nine men heave a beautifully painted fishing boat into the water. There are details such as the blue hill in the background and the stormy sky but centre stage is the boat which spans almost the whole painting. Here we have working men in the beauty of natural landscape. Similarly evocative is his painting depicting well to do “New Yorkers in Central Park” where the colours and joyful aspect of the people are recorded. Moreover the mood of the exhibition changes greatly in the last room of the exhibition as we see family paintings and portraits in his later years. One such is an eerily still portrait of his wife, Emma Storey, in a stunning deep blue gown in “Emma at the Piano”. Her gaze stares back at us in a hard to decipher gaze as if we are interrupting her and yet there is an intimacy between the muse and the painter that is almost tangible. He once said to her “Can I tell you that your heart is in me and your portrait is in all my work”. One of my favourite paintings in the whole collection painting “The Picnic” where we see Bellows and his family and friend enjoying a picnic on the shores of the lake in Woodstock; a rural art colony where they used to go to take their holidays. The colours are heightened and the mood is dreamlike and idylic evoking a peaceful and naturally beautiful haven. In this sense Bellows reveals the scope of his artistic range as we see how different these paintings are in comparison to his wrestlers or grimy, powerful city landscapes

Emma at the Piano, 1914, George Bellows

            The show is quite small and won’t take you long to finish and in it are great masterpieces and works of art evoking New York at its grittiest and society in all walks of life. Tragically Bellows died at the young age of 42 from peritonitis cutting short what was an amazing career and full life.

-         By Larissa Woolf, Arts Editor, VisitMuseums.com

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