Culture: A Walk Through British Art History - Renaissance, Baroque & Neoclassicism @ Tate Britain London

 

(Drivebycuriosity) - My wife and I are staying in Vauxhall, the first part of our long London visit. The place is close to the Tate Britain where admission is free. That inspires us to visit the museum more times. I already reported about their Van Gogh show ( driveby). On Thursday we started to explore their regular collection which is displayed in chronological order, each room contains a certain historical period, beginning in the mid-sixteens century   (tate.org  ). I present here my favorites, a very subjective selection as usual.

 

Above the painting which fascinated me most: John Singleton Cople`s "The Death of Major Peirson, 6 January 1781", executed 1783. This picture celebrates the British defense of Jersey against French invasion in 1781 and also pays tribute to a young Major, Francis Peirson, who lost his life in the process.

I am also impressed by Joseph Mallord William Turner`s "The Field of Waterloo",  exhibited 1818. England `s victory over Napoleon had a high price and Turner went to the battlefield in order to document the horror.

Above Peter Monamy`s "Ships in Distress in a Storm" from 1720–30 

Above Samuel Scott`s "An Arch of Westminster Bridge" from 1750.

Henry Fuseli`s "Titania and Bottom" from 1790.

 

And more lovely ladies: Sir Peter Lely`s "Susanna and the Elders"  1650–5 &  "Elizabeth, Countess of Kildare"  1679,  Paul Van Somer`s "Lady Elizabeth Grey, Countess of Kent"  1619, Sir Nathaniel Bacon`s "Cookmaid with Still Life of Vegetables and Fruit"  c.1620–5 & an unknown artist`s "A Young Lady Aged 21" , Possibly Helena Snakenborg, Later Marchioness of Northampton,1569 .

"The Cholmondeley Ladies" by another unknown artist, 1600–10.

To be continued