artfirstprimo in a quandry@the Leonardo exhibition again...

On Jan 15th I took my 12th visit to the stupendous Leonardo exhibition (ending 5 Feb) to visit this occasion just four paintings.  These four paintings in the Leonardo exhibition that have exercised the minds of many a Leonardo scholar.  The paintings in question are the newly discovered 'Salvator Mundi', the 'Madonna Lita' from the Hermitage, the 'Madonna of the Yarnwinder' and the 'Lady with the Ermine'. The question is are they all solely the work of Leonardo?  I know what Mr Sewell would think, but what do you think?   think we can never know for certain and perhaps this is part of the mystery of Leonardo.

artfirstprimo in conversation with Frank Bowling OBE RA

On the somewhat auspicious day of Friday 13th I was invited to the home and then on to the studio of one of Britain's greatest living artists - Frank Bowling OBE, RA to see his latest very illuminating work.  But first we drank tea and spoke about his love the National Gallery's permanent collection and his disappointment that he narrowly missed out to Martin Creed on being appointed National Gallery Artist in Resident.  I for one think that the National Gallery missed out on an opportunity that they my never get the chance again to revisit.. We also spoke about his enjoyment at visiting the Leonardo exhibition of course at the National Gallery - his privilege status allowing him quick and free entrance to this very difficult to gain entrance to exhibition.

Along with Frank's partner Rachel we then drove to Frank's studio to view some of this latest work.  Frank was putting the final touches on two large scale pieces and also drying them with a hairdryer propped on a chair, they were truly extraordinary pieces.  But I particularly like a small collection of pieces that to me exhibited the jewel-like wonder of Illuminated manuscript in their execution and relatively small size compared to Frank's monumental works, which we looked at on this occasion, and I was pleased to be informed by Frank that he had indeed included real gold leaf in some of these jewel-like works.  As a Renaissance art historian I am particularly partial to craft and the art of making things and these works spoke to me of this age of wonder.

An illuminating interlude and one of the joys of living in London: http://bit.ly/yzMlce

artfirstprimo@Somerset House

A short walk along the Embankment to Somerset House found me on the same day Jan 8th me at the Dazed & Confused Magazine exhibition.  Inside this exhibition nudity & sexuality seem to be the main themes beginning with a poor pastiche of Velazquez's Rokeby Venus.  However, the room with projected images of models who happen to be disabled is a refreshing breath of fresh air in this somewhat lacklustre exhibition that has the inventiveness of the emperor's new clothes: http://bit.ly/za9Sh5

artfirstprimo@Two Temple Place

On Jan 8th I took a visit the late Gothic revival building of Two Temple Place here in London. where I experienced splendid architectural flights of fantasy, and extraordinary tapestries; shimmering and intricate in their detail.  Although it must be said I am not a Pre-Raphalite fan, I found the Morris engaging as ever.  Certainly worth a visit to this rather unusual hidden gem in the heart of London. http://bit.ly/yztqzV

artfirstprimo and Brian Sewell visit the Leonardo at the NG

On Jan 4th I took the opportunity, straight after my one of free tours of the National Gallery, to see the Leonardo exhibition and briefly look at a few favourites.  I was delighted to bump into Brian Sewell, whereupon we briefly walked around the Leonardo exhibition.  Both myself and Brian have seen the Leonardo exhibition on many occasions, but Brian informed me that he was only here to set his mind straight about a few of the paintings that he had his doubts about.

 

Brian then informed me that he still did not believe the painting of the Musician was by Leonardo despite what the label said.  And having looked at the painting on many occasions myself and now with with Brian, I must say it is very odd with what seems to be a dark background added later to the painting.  Clearly the 'Musician' with its unfinished jacket lapels and also later added hand (transparent) as one can see the music sheet through the fingers (this suggests its later inclusion), begs many questions as to how many artists may have contributed to this picture said to be solely by the hand of Leonardo.  Yet the curls at the front of the hair seem unmistakable by the hand of Leonardo in the way that they also seem to be the same as Leonardo's evocation of water in drawings such as the 'Deluge',or seem also to match the hair of the angel seen in the 'Baptism of Christ' attributed to Leonardo and his one time Teacher Verrocchio in the Uffizi, Florence.  Although the background over painting may have obscured the delicate edges of the hair of the so called young 'Musician'.

 

Brian also casted some doubt on the pin-up girl of the exhibition - Cecilia Gallirani (The Lady with the Ermine).  Essentially Brian argument here was that if you took away Cecilia's hand and the Ermine it could not be then argued that this work was by Leonardo.  This argument I found very hard to agree, if anything, I thought this hypothesis could be reversed.  However, we both agreed that the 'Madonna Litta' could not be by Leonardo. Indeed before the exhibition it was given to Leonardo's pupil Giovanni Antonio Boltraffio and also said on previous occasions to be by both artists.

 

There is very little time to make up your mind as this stunning exhibition ends on Feb 5th.  Tickets on the day only still available if your are prepared to start queueing from 06:30 am.