London, England It’s been a few days of this and that. Yesterday I spent some time working on a group of photos from Don. We’ve finally got it down to a system of how he transmits them and labels them. I’ve finally figured out how and where to download them for future access. Don’t ask.
Then, thanks to a very well-equipped kitchen in my rental flat, I was able to have June and Alan come for dinner last evening. (And a big thanks to the Marks & Spencer Food Hall around the corner.)
We were headed for an art gallery private opening, showcasing the work of June and Alan’s grandchildrens’ other grandparents. Follow that?
The paintings were bold and vibrant, hung in the smallest gallery ever. That made the crowd of friends and relatives of the now-deceased artists even more cheery and intimate. Somehow I was able to squeeze around and over a happy group to see some of the paintings.
How nice to have all those people come to celebrate your creative gifts once you’re gone!
Today I had a long-booked reservation to tour the Banqueting House. Purpose-built to host lavish feasts and celebrations for almost 400 years, Banqueting House is the original ‘party palace.’ After the previous Banqueting House burnt down, in 1622 King James I commanded Inigo Jones to create a sumptuous and elegant replacement.
The Banqueting House has an enormous hall, with the dimensions of a double cube, resting on top of a vaulted Undercroft, where lots of naughty parties evidently took place. The upstairs main hall was the scene of elaborate masques, where competition was fierce in the costume department.
The spectacular carved and gilded ceiling now contains nine paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, which were installed in 1636. These vast oil-on-canvas paintings are unique, in that they remain in the very ceiling for which they were first painted.
Charles I commissioned the paintings, which glorify the achievements of his father, and depict James as a divine figure – the implication being that his Stuart heirs were too. That turned out to be an issue.
Just 13 years after Rubens’ canvas were installed Charles I viewed the ceiling for the last time, as a condemned man. The irony of the divine right of kings cannot have been lost on him as he walked to his death under the magnificent canvases: commissioned as a tribute to his father.
The King was executed on a specially built scaffold outside the Banqueting House on 30 January 1649.
It is a lovely day to admire the current sights of Whitehall. Across from the Banqueting House is the King’s Guards barracks. I’ve seen many videos of silly tourists getting far too close to the horses and living to regret it. What a dreadful job to mind those gates all day.
Nearby is a well-guarded entrance to #10 Downing Street.
I walked up to Trafalger Square and took in the wonderful familiar sites.
And then I saw him!
I call him the poet-in-residence of Trafalger Square, the young man who writes poetry-to-order in front of the National Gallery.
Was it last year I had him write a poem on Don’s birthday? Yes, and here he is again. Today I commissioned him to create another for my guy, now so far away in Asia.
I hope he will be here the next time I pass this way.
As usual, beautifully and evocatively written and photographed. You manage to find treasures beyond the beaten path. Such fun to read.
Thank you so much! Who are you, Anonymous? Give me a little hint….
There is a similar poet at Washington Square and I have the poem he wrote — somewhere. Next time I’ll have he write one for a friend to give to.
Awww…you miss Don.
Does it show?
Loud and clear. LOL!