The first day of each month is a theme day for members of City Daily Photo, and that theme this month is Museum. Check out how others are handling the theme right here.
I am in the midst of a series on the National Gallery of Canada, one of several national museums in the national capital area. This first view today looks into a long gallery space, with my favourite statue in the building at the far end.
Here we have an experiment in art gone wrong. Charles Churchill is a 1755 portrait by Joshua Reynolds. The artist experimented with pigments that have since vanished, resulting in the ghostly pallor of the subject.
River Landscape With Cattle Watering And Ferry Boat is by Thomas Gainsborough, dating to 1754-56
This marble bust, done in the Roman clothing style, is of one of the great heroes of British- and Canadian- history. Joseph Wilton carved General James Wolfe around 1760.
It was Wolfe who led British, Canadian, and First Nations forces at the decisive Battle of the Plains of Abraham at Quebec City during the French and Indian War, a victory that cost him his life. This large, dramatic painting is The Death Of General Wolfe, by Benjamin West, done in 1770. There are other versions by West out there, but this is considered to be the primary version, and this is the canvas that made his reputation.
Here we have Still Life With Peaches And Grapes, done in the 1770s by Anne Vallayer-Coster.
And for today we'll leave off with this one. View Of Lake Nemi is a 1748 painting by Claude-Joseph Vernet.
Who knew! You had a couple of museum photos to show us!
ReplyDeleteThis one was easy.
DeleteBeautiful museum and paintings. Take care, have a great week.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteWhen I lived in Québec the Plains of Abraham was a favourite spot to wander and one never lost the sense of history.
ReplyDeleteI have seen that place.
Delete...this prompt is custom made for you!
ReplyDeleteVery much so.
DeleteWhen I saw Joshua Reynold's portrait of the Countess of Galloway, I assumed her the ghostly colour of her face and chest was because women were seen as more delicate. But now I am thinking it might be more a sign of social class, not gender.
ReplyDeleteI expect he was using the same technique in that painting as he did in this.
DeleteLovely takes for the prompt! Perfect for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThe gallery space itself is wonderful, William.
ReplyDeleteIt is.
DeleteInteresting about the pigments.
ReplyDeleteIt is.
DeleteYou have so many beautiful museums there. This one is a favorite.
ReplyDeleteFor me, yes.
DeleteThis theme suits you very well.
ReplyDeleteIt does.
DeleteBeautiful room and classical art works ~
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Thank you.
DeleteAnd there you are, already in the museum for this month's theme!
ReplyDeleteFitting timing.
DeleteI love that gallery shot in the first photo!
ReplyDeleteMe too.
DeleteYou have so many museums to choose from. Beautiful places and art, great for the theme.
ReplyDeleteI'm spoiled for museums.
DeleteI do like your first photograph showing the gallery.
ReplyDeleteYou are fortunate to have a good number of museums/galleries near to you.
All the best Jan
We have many.
DeleteNice to see these masterpieces!
ReplyDeleteYes it is.
DeleteMuseum is your specialty!
ReplyDeleteVery much so.
DeleteBeautiful museum and contents.
ReplyDeleteI think so.
DeleteThat's interesting about the pigments disappearing. I suppose it is similar to what has happened to so many color photographs that were taken in the 60s and 70s that now look -- well, pretty bad!
ReplyDeleteI suppose there are reasons art restorers wouldn't redo it.
DeleteIt's as if you chose the theme this month; absolutely made for you!! (Good thing I'm not in that group, I would sadly have to pass. ) I'm so glad you share your wonderful spaces with all of us not so fortunate culturally! That long gallery is just beautiful in itself and a perfect showcase.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteA perfect subject for you, the first view of the room is very inviting.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
Delete