National Gallery, London

Bear who always has the travel bug, insisted we go off to London for a 3-dayer respite.

Naturally we took in a few of the classic sights like Piccadilly Circus etc.

London theatres are so tempting are they not?

At last an overdue visit to the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square

The hot show in town is the Caravaggio and his copycats

Awfully dark for my tastes. To quote the educational video,"blanketed in black". You be the judge.

But the Nat Gallery's own collection is dazzling, and you can take all the pictures you want. No selfie sticks Please.

One masterpiece after another. Here a great Rubens.

Dutch still lifes

And tons of Velasquez. Who knew?

I was surprised by this Velasquez genre scene. I'm used to seeing the portraits mainly.

A closer look reveals wonderfully lively figures

The best way to understand what you're seeing is to try to sketch it in any medium. And it doesn't matter how crude or simple your attempt. You will learn Tons. See how the black hats are almost a syncopated pattern that leads your eye around the picture. And he's placed the main primaries;yellow-red-blue right next to each other. A terrific eye-catcher. The man knew his color wheel. I missed all this as I waltzed by in normal gallery Fashion. But you will see so much more with a quick doodle at home or on the spot. Try it. You'll like it I promise.

The National Gallery's gift shop is already for Christmas with trees based on paintings in their collection.

The Wilton diptych Madonna makes for a lovely tree and pillows.

Hmm...Bear liked this doubledecker better.

Want to look seriously Baroque?

Grab yourself a stunning bejeweled necklace in their shop. I was tempted. I did look long and hard at all the wonderful pup portraits in the various masterpieces. Hmmm...Iwould love my pup portraits to come close to this one. Dream on Carol :))

Bear is off to the Birmingham Art fair today. Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast! If you like this post and want to support it, buy Paris letters and watercolors or forward to someone who might enjoy it. 

Cheers!