An afternoon trip to the Leonardo da Vinci exhibition

Howde Peeps.

So the news is not good. The Virus is taking control. We are trying to cheer you all up the best way we can. We were scrolling through last year's posts when we found this one from March. It was just after her Cyprus hols. She was intrigued by this exhibition at the Museum and tootled off into town. We followed our Lady M with amusement, later she scribed this account for you.  Incidentally, those trams have been replaced with new blue ones. She does not think they are as pretty as these! Please enjoy this post, and remember nothing lasts forever. Not even Covid19. Stay positive, safe and strong. Love Sofia and Donald xxxxx

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Hello Everyone!

Now, we all know that Lady M likes riding the trams particularly as it is free for her. One of those privileges that accompanies senior years. She loves presenting her concessionary pass and watching it click on the reader and then she watches others pay for the privilege of riding. She is frequently amused as she watches peeps behaviour and ponders over what kind of life they have. Such a fascinating hobby. She thinks about their ages and then is reminded of her own and asks the question, how did I get here? Memory lane can be wonderful. 

Anyway, last week she tootled down to the tram stop at West Bromwich Central and hopped on board or to be more precise she carefully stepped on board and almost fell into the nearest seat. The tram filled up on the way into Brum and all seats were occupied when another senior with a stick boarded. She was really impressed when a young person, not seated in a priority seat, politely got up and offered the senior her seat. There is so much bad publicity regarding the youth of today linked with crime and anti-social behaviour. This was a reminder that not all of our youth are miscreants. On her return journey she witnessed a similar situation where another youngster willingly gave up her seat for an elderly person. 

So, where did she go for her afternoon treat? The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery to see the Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing exhibition.

"In February 2019, to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci, 12 of the Renaissance master's drawings from the Royal Collection will go on display at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, as part of 12 simultaneous exhibitions across the UK.

Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing, a nationwide event, will give the widest-ever UK audience the opportunity to see the work of this extraordinary artist, with 144 of his greatest drawings from the Royal Collection forming the 12 exhibitions.

Twelve drawings, selected to reflect the full range of Leonardo's interests – painting, sculpture, architecture, music, anatomy, engineering, cartography, geology and botany – will be shown at each venue.

Visitors to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery will see the intricacy of Leonardo’s work through works never seen in the city before. 

Leonardo da Vinci exhibitions across the UK

The exhibitions Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing will include examples of all the drawing materials employed by the artist, including pen and ink, red and black chalks, watercolour and metalpoint. They will also present new information about Leonardo's working practices and creative process, gathered through technical research using a range of techniques including ultraviolet imaging, infrared reflectography and X-ray fluorescence. The findings will be brought together in a ground-breaking new book, Leonardo: A Closer Look, published by Royal Collection Trust in February 2019.

Following the exhibitions at Royal Collection Trust's partner venues, in May 2019 the drawings will be brought together to form part of an exhibition of over 200 sheets at The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, the largest exhibition of Leonardo's work in over 65 years. A selection of 80 drawings will then travel to The Queen's Gallery, Palace of Holyrood house in November 2019, the largest group of Leonardo's works ever shown in Scotland. This will take place 22 November 2019 – 15 March 2020."

Taken from the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery website,

 www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag

Was she impressed with what she saw? Definitely. The name 'da Vinci' tends to be associated with two things these days, Dan Brown's novel and The Last Supper the masterpiece painting by the artist Leonardo da Vinci. It was that painting which she had in mind when she walked into the gallery. She gasped in amazement at the sight before her. Twelve intricate but small drawings which have survived the test of time. To behold such work which had been penned by a hand 500 years ago in itself is remarkable... to imagine this individual working to produce them at a time long before computer images had been invented. Her mind can be over active. Naturally, she took pics before leaving the gallery in awe of this great man's mind and imagination. She would now like to share some of this pics with you and suggest that if you're in the Birmingham area you pop along and see them in the next month or look for the other museums where more of his work is on show.

Just remember, peeps, this work was produced 500 years ago!

Before she left the city she popped into Costa for her fav panini, well one of them, (brie and bacon) and a latte. She thought it was nice of Costa to place one of their coffee houses a few yards away from the tram stop at Grand Central. That was an afternoon which will stay in her mind for a long time. She is a believer that life is what you make it and should be enjoyed. She likes 'firsts', taking opportunities and enjoying experiences. That afternoon was definitely a super experience. So, peeps, go and get yourself some memorable moments this week. 

Have fun, Lady M

Wolverhampton Art Gallery

The Georgian Room

 Hello Everyone,

After last week's exciting trip to the Birmingham Art Gallery and enjoying the Leonardo exhibition I delved back into the archives and resurrected a previous Art Gallery experience in Wolverhampton where I enjoyed the pop art from Lichtenstein. Visiting art galleries can be an uplifting and invigorating as well as educational experience. What is more many of them are free. It is a school holiday at the moment and you are wondering what to do with your off-spring? Why not find your local art gallery and have fun.                                                          

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"Today, I thought I would share with you one of my experiences of last week. On Wednesday, it was cold and breezy but sunny and I took the opportunity of a day out. In fact, it was so sunny that some peeps were wearing shades oblivious to the fact that snow was on its way. In fact, it arrived six hours later.  I used my concessionary bus pass... I just love that perk of my senior years! I indulged in a recent hobby of riding the trams and went to Wolverhampton. Many may ask, 'Why?' I reply, 'Why not.' Wolverhampton is like anywhere else. It has a lot to offer. This time I visited the most impressive Art Gallery. The elaborate oak-panelled entrance hall makes one step back to a time when buildings were designed to be attractive, and last for posterity unlike today's constructions which seem to arrive in five minutes and disappear as quickly. Admission is free and wandering round the rooms was impressive and illuminating.


The impressive oak-panelled entrance hall and staircase

I began in the room on the right and was mesmerised by the Victorian Playtime exhibition. In the next room an exhibition close to my heart... Art and Writing. I looked at the typewriter and suddenly appreciated the computer and all it's problems. I would never have finished my first book if I had been working on that one.



Imagine writing a novel on that!

Next,  I visited the  Roy Lichtenstein exhibition. Lichtenstein was a major contributor to the Pop Art movement in New York in the swinging sixties. I had heard of this artist but had not realised the impact of his distinctive works; his use of colour, black outlines and dots to create his own distinctive style. This exhibition is on until February 26th, if you are in the Wolverhampton area pop along and be impressed.

Finally, I strolled through the Victorian and Georgian rooms before having lunch in the café. In the Georgian room I had fun opening drawers, looking at exhibits in them and also listening to an audio description of the period. I even tried on hats from that era and admired myself in the mirror. I could have dressed up in period costume but decided to forgo that activity. In the Victorian room I admired the dress on display; I would have liked to dress up in it although not sure about being comfortable in the required undergarments! Yes, I had a great time. After all life is what you make it. If you are sitting at home waiting for the spring have a look around your area. I am sure you will find something of interest to do. Most museums and art galleries run by councils do have free admission and are fascinating places to visit."
                                        


THAT Victorian dress.

Thank you to all at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

http://www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/whats-on/wolves/grid/

 

  

                             
 Lady M xxxx