Alexander Calder’s early figurative portraits and sculptures of acrobats made from wire outlines are economical of line and witty, reminiscent of the drawings of Matisse and Cocteau. But his visit to Mondrian’s studio in 1930 was his watershed moment, changing his art completely. He later said it was “the shock that converted me… like the baby being slapped to make its…
Leave a CommentMonth: March 2016
Spring in the fair
Waiting for a friend in the dazzling Spring sunshine on Duke of York Square was the perfect preparation for the diamonds, silverware, clocks and polished antique furniture sparkling amongst the wares on display at the annual BADA fair. However once inside, I was especially drawn to the paintings and sculptures shown by Beaux Arts (London), Messum’s Fine Art and Alan Wheatley,…
Leave a CommentThe Divine Giorgione
Last night we attended the private view of In the Age of Giorgione at the Royal Academy. President Christopher Le Brun opened the show with a speech referring to Giorgione’s elusiveness, and his immense influence on subsequent artists, all the more remarkable considering the short span of his life (he died aged 32). Wandering round the exhibition, I couldn’t help…
Leave a CommentArt in Bloom
What a treat to be able to wander through beautiful lush verdant flower gardens instead of strolling amongst the bare trees in nearby Green Park under the cold drizzle of a January afternoon. The theme of the show is that many painters also cultivated, and of course then painted, their gardens. And the painted gardens by Cezanne, Renoir, Matisse, (and…
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