the tourist view

 

10.15

I rarely take photos of London's tourist hotspots. But today Nelson loomed high above me as I emerged from the tube station, and for the first time ever I thought him worthy of a shot. I was on my way to see the small but impressive Bridget Riley exhibition at the National Gallery which made me wonder once again why I haven't made a Bridget Riley-inspired quilt, but also reminded me that anything I made would be a poor textile imitation of an untouchably good artist.

On my way out of the gallery I paused to look down and across from the top of the NG steps onto the scene that so many visitors to London capture on camera. The sky had changed dramatically and the Nelson's eye view of Trafalgar Square and Whitehall down to the Houses of Parliament was like something out of a 1950s film, and I wondered why I'd never noticed it before. (No doubt because I've always been trying to not be in someone else's photo.)

  

10.55

Just around the corner from the tourist-filled NG is the often overlooked NPG which is a true haven of warmth and comfort on days such as this (especially in the wood-panelled C19 galleries where the great and good Victorians are kept). There is always something good to see in here, and today it was the marvellous Englishman in New York exhibition which manages to blend the unique character of New York with the big British characters in the photos without detracting from either. I loved the Simon Schama portrait: bet he never forgets to look up and around when he's in NY even though he'd never describe himself as a tourist. 

Comments

[Rose]

This makes me miss London so much - not quite the same in Yorkshire!Its funny how one takes it all for granted when its on the doorstep and then miss it like crazy when its not so easy to access! Love your blog and books, Jane - you are such an inspiration! Gentle Art of Domesticity is my all time favourite pick-me-up!

[Rebecca]

I really need to get out more.

[Joy]

When I was in London last year, I visited both the NG and NPG, and while I loved the beautiful artwork in the NG, there was something so moving and real about the NPG. It was one of my favorite places that visit.

[Juti]

Great find! Simon Schama, I mean. He's my hero and that's a fabulous portrait of him.

[Charlotte]

I second Rose's comment. I remember returning home to London after a year's post-uni travelling and, for the first time, seeing the city as a tourist might. It was a complete revelation.

[MissHeliotrope]

Looking at everyday things in a different way is always a revelation.

[m]

I love that view from the National Gallery, especially at this time of year as it's getting dark - and also the wonderful view from the NPG restaurant.

[jude]

Next time go into the Restaurant in the Gallery at the top. You have a very different view of Nelson.

Gosh, I be in London in 9 sleeps. It is now raining in Melbourne. Flooding in New South Wales.

[Else]

Somewhere, tucked between the pages of one of my hundreds of books, is a large-format postcard of one of Bridget Riley's paintings which I decided really ought to be made into a quilt... The card is easily 10, maybe even 15 or more, years old now but one day... one day! I only started crocheting after discovering your (original) blog, so perhaps you have to make one to spur me on to doing my own Bridget Riley quilt - although I think the precision of her work is beyond my capabilities! I must pop out to see the exhibition - thanks for reminding me.

[Anna Marie]

NPG is great. The Hilliard miniatures are like a treasure in Aladdin's cave...they are kept in a darkened room, and when you turn on the lights for a peek, the frank expressions, glittering costume, and azure backgrounds make you forget they are only about 2 inches big. Larger than life indeed.

[creativevoyage]

I love the NPG there is alway something interesting to view each time I visit London and the loos are good too! Did you look at the ship in the bottle?

[JenW]

I loved visiting the NPG. It was one place I visited more than once during my short time in London. It was so empty compared to other museums, yet so interesting. I like biographies, so perhaps that's why I love portraits so much.