Leicester (pronounced Lester) Square: the heart of cultural London |
The National Portrait Gallery just steps away from Leicester |
The National Portrait Gallery – London
You might call Leicester Square the epicenter of cultural
London. Sure, there are bunches
more museums scattered throughout the city, but even the world famous British
Museum is within walking distance, although I’d probably take the tube.
Discount ticket offices are right in the square and theaters
are scattered on every side. Even Covent Garden is almost as close from
Leicester tube as it is from the Covent Garden tube. Trafalgar Square is right down the street, as is the world
famous church, St Martin-in-the-Fields.
Admiral Lord Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square - Just down the street from Leicester Square |
But, let’s get back to museums: The National Gallery, The National Portrait Gallery, The
Transport Museum, The British Optical Association Museum, and even The Cartoon
Museum. The list goes on for pages
Sorry folks. Ya
just can’t do ‘em all in one afternoon, or one lifetime. Gotta pick and choose. This time I chose The National Portrait
Gallery. Why? Never been there, but I knew I’d be
impressed and inspired. There’s so
much more to a museum experience than just staring at pictures.
To paraphrase Ernest Hemingway, when asked what he did for
inspiration, the great writer said, ‘I go look at a few canvases.’ I know what
he meant. There’s a commonality in
all forms of art. Art connects us
as humans, whether it’s ballet, pottery, or cake decorating.
So, off I trotted to The N.P.G. to reconnect. What I found amazed me, as art museums
often do. Did you know that Bob
Dylan does portraits? I
didn’t. Impressive. How about a high tech portrait that
changes colors?
portrait of zaha Hadid, the Iraqi-born architect of the London 2012 Olympic Aquatics Centre, by Michael Craig-Martin |
And how about the spacing, lighting, color, and display of
art works? Fascinating. Comes in
handy when you decorate your home.
Clutter annoys us. Space,
indirect light, and temperate colors soothe.
Bob Dylan's black and white portraits. Note the contrasting neutral walls and ceiling and the indirect lighting. |
More space and shadows and indirect light. |
Art is also a study in history and I don’t necessarily mean
‘art history.’ Portraits reflect,
not only famous faces, but dress, hair styles, that offer a glimpse into the
soul. Stern and domineering, or
friendly and approachable? A
portrait piques my curiosity.
Makes me want to know more about people, their lives, and times. The labels beside the paintings offer
tidbits of information. Slowly,
the pieces start to mean something.
I find myself pondering and grabbing books.
Mary Queen of Scots by Nicholas Hilliard |
William Shakespheare, attributed to John Taylor, circa 1600 |
Early English Kings |
Sir Winston Churchill 1916, when he was 42 years old, by Sir William Newenham Montague Orpen |
Even if you don’t particularly care for art in general, or
portraits in particular, take a break from pubbing and the theater to give The
National Portrait Gallery an hour of your time. Hey, you’re in Leicester Square, the London home to all
things cultural!
Room to sit, time to ponder and read. |
But, enough is enough.
Time to pull another pint.
Lisa and I are going to London in January. Do you have any hotel recommendations?
ReplyDeleteYou bet! Will send you an email.
ReplyDeleteJeff, your email came back as undeliverable. Not sure that Lisa got hers either.
ReplyDelete