On the floor of the British Museum's entrance, a beautiful engraved quote by the poet Tennyson celebrates eternal knowledge... In the dimly-lit Prints & Drawings room, I admired a frustratingly small number of exhibits from the institution's sumptuous collection... I longed to see Dürer's botanical drawings, and am also told the museum has some original illustration by the wonderful Beatrix Potter, but at this time they are not displayed...
(Oh well, I guess I will have to go back!)
Goya is one of my very favorite painters so was thrilled to see these prints, that paved the way for his famous Caprichos. His Gothic imagination conjures up dream-like scenes of ecstasy and madness, don't you agree?
Also on display was the museum latest addition to the Prints collection, namely this large (and actually colorful) portrait of a girl smoking, by Julian Opie.
I spent most of my time with the Youth on Horseback, a Roman statue dating back to the first century AD. I have always loved horses, ever since I started riding as a three-year-old in Kenya; their graceful legs and tender eyes bring me endless joy. This little marble horse, with its boyish rider, seems to be dancing lightly to an ancient fife-and-drum march...
Emily Dickinson
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14 comments:
I love those horse photos. What an eye you have.
I love Goya´s prints. I remeber his prints exhibition here in Prague, it was amazing.
And this horse is brilliant.
Looks like a great visit...I love all the different styles of art represented in this post. Can't wait to see more of your trip!
I love museums :) what a great post!
Your blog is very cool :)
Goya is great!
This Goya/Opie post is wonderful! Thanks.
Gorgeous photos, as the saying goes,
"put your best foot forward!"
Love to see the Beatrix Potter ilustrations with you when you go back. she is a favorite of mine!
Patricia
ooh goya's prints are spooky, but so detailed..they always amaze me!
Thank you ALL so much for your enthusiasm about this art! I love hearing what you think about the beautiful museum exhibits I see.
Jill - I can't wait to hear about YOUR trip to Antigua!
Marie - you found the exact words I was looking for: spooky and detailed. There something both ugly and engrossingly beautiful about them.
Andrea - I'm excited because there is going to be a Goya prints exhibition in Paris very soon. The problem is that exhibitions in Paris are SO crowded that it kind of ruins the pleasure...
I was thinking of your own horse post (the pic of you as a little girl) when I posted these pictures!
Oh my--- what a lovely sight to see!
to enter that second image--tremblings open on the inner page.
love your perspective of the horse hoofs by the windows high and mighty architectures... a great display of lines.
I simply ADORE that Julian Opie print. LOVE that style!
I love Goya too!
Amazing, great pictures.
I'm glad some of you liked the horse, some loved the Goyas and some enjoyed the Opie print.
That way everyone is happy!!
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