In the Academy looking at Charles I. Amazing not least that so very many of these sumptuous treasures are on loan from The Queen . Liked the Equestrian portraits of the late 1630s best. The vast canvas of the magnificent dun with the long, curly mane best of all. I note the King has a poor seat. Stirrups way too long (perhaps there was no rising trot in those days probably because no tarmac road and one could canter everywhere ) and legs thrust too forward no ear/hip /heel line there but perhaps that was the style of the time.
The children liked the pictures of women holding decapitated heads aloft by the long, curly hair and were appalled by the Reubens with the leopard, satyr and woman squirting milk from her breast into a baby’s mouth .
The other most amazing thing about the exhibition was the complete and utter decrepitude of the vast majority of viewers. Quite staggering.
People in wheelchairs with wads of tissues wedged in their mouths, walking frames aplenty. One person trailing along a drip stand. People hobbling at less than snails pace with kyphotic spines and built-up shoes. Well done them for getting there but damn tricky to negotiate in a darkened, crowded gallery
Oh after the culture and not forgetting reaching for the gun…. at work yesterday was asking a fine young girl how she hurt her hip. A trip and slip at work perhaps?
“No I was running with my machine gun”
Who are you, Lara Croft?!
“No. I am in the Navy:
The River Files 