The Silver Tassie

***1/2 One can see why Yates criticised The Silver Tassie for it's lack of a central character and lacklustre narrative, but it's not that bad. Our hero Harry Heegan is more the whinging footballer than war hero, but there is a wonderful tension between him and his girl Jessie. Mrs Foran, who see her husband's return to the front as her renewed freedom, also adds to the sense of a gender divide. Although the music hall-like comedy duo of Simon and Sylvester carry the first act, it is the pyrotechnic of the second (take ear plugs) that stay in one's shell shocked head long after the play has ended. Soldier sing 'why are we here' to the tune of Auld Lang Syne, ridiculing the pomposity of the officer class. During the party back in Blighty, both Heegan's breakdown and heartless female sexuality are reinforced. In the final scene woman dance with puppet soliders, collapsing and limp.

Homage No.6

My opinion of Matisse continues to be polarised between awe and incredulity. How can the work be so awful and so wonderful at the same time? Then again, Henri was the only contemporary that Pablo revered so maybe I should shush...and I do especially like his goldfish.

Two more Homages to Paul

Homage to Zurbaran

Zurbaran's Agnus Dei at the Prado is one of the paintings that stick in the memory. Having been strongly influenced by Caravaggio the Spaniard's two paintings of St. Francis can be viewed closer to home at the National Gallery.

Greenwich Revisted

****
It seems a life time ago since I counted myself as one of the residents of Greenwich, and in essence things have not changed (the Naval College, Museum, Royal Observatory and park). Turner and the Sea at the National Maritime Museum is well worth a visit. In the basement the works may be starved of natural light and a little crowded together, but still one is able to gain a wonderful overview of how the work developed and how it sits with the Dutch tradition of seascapes.

The Two Richards

** (Deacon) ***(*)(Hamilton)
Hamilton, and Deacon too, are both established stalwarts of British art. Whilst the former has been an important figure both nationally and internationally, the latter's work appears disjointed and arbitrary by comparison.

Homage No.2 (to Cardinal Borghese)

On an all to brief a walk in the gardens of the Villa Borghese I remember drawing by the statue of Byron. The soaring conifers planted by the cardinal reminiscent of 'The Great Pine' by Cezanne. The huge cone, bigger than both fists, now sits upon my desk as a constant reminder of Rome.