Yesterday we went to the Tate. There is so much to see there that I cannot begin to summarize in one post. The collection is stunning and changes each time we visit because they own so much art and it rotates constantly. That means we didn’t get to see some old favorites, but we did get to see lots of paintings we have not seen before.
Here are a couple of highlights from the collection as seen yesterday.
Of course one of the great attractions at the Tate is the Turner Collection. JMW Turner bequeathed his works to the Tate and it represents a sizable number. We have seen this collection on three different trips and each time the paintings are different. This year they are featuring unfinished paintings and plein air works in addition to some finished pieces. As artists we love to see Turner’s work in progress. It is fascinating to observe how he sketched, toned the canvas, blocked in the large forms, and then finished.
His plein air works in both watercolor and oil are wonderfully spontaneous with lots of energy despite being simple in design.
Finally I can’t resist including some beautiful pencil (graphite) and ink drawings from the pre-Raphaelites. This is for Howard Hansen and all my drawing pals in his class. Wish you could have been here to see these.
Today we are resting. Tonight we are going to The Old Vic to see Cole Porter’s High Society produced by Kevin Spacey.
Paul
Travels With Picasso 
THE MOVIE on MR. TURNER, starring Timothy Spall, out last year, now on DVD, is brilliant, giving a lot of insight into his process; see it if you can. So much culture, so little time. Perhaps many of us can travel & witness those wonders vicariously through the pair of you; do you think?
Yes, Glenn, we saw the movie. It was entertaining and seemed to be fairly true to what is know about his art production. I also love to travel vicariously. I’ll never get to all the places I would like to see. It’s marvelous that we have such means to share our experiences.
So much beauty! How can you stand it? You guys do not feel dizzy? Are you sure?
It is overwhelming, but I think any dizziness can be attributed to my allergies. I’ve had a runny nose and watery eyes since we arrived. The Turner works are wonderful. We intend to go back at least once more to see them.