A common man marvels at uncommon things. A wise man marvels at the commonplace. CONFUCIUS

Friday 7 February 2014

Matisse And Picasso In Lincoln

In Lincoln today a narrow blue and gold window in the weather revealed the cathedral's limestone façade in all its glory. John Ruskin declared Lincoln Cathedral out and out the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles . . .  

Secondhand bookshop on Steep Hill . . . 

Norman house on Steep Hill, now home to Imperial Teas, one of my favourite shops . . .

After a salad in Pizza Express we headed for The Collection, Lincoln's museum and art gallery. We'd come to see the Modern Masters touring exhibition —  Picasso, Dali, Matisse and Warhol prints from London's V & A . . .

Here's a famous picture of Picasso taken by the French photographer, Robert Doisneau. Picasso looks so alert and playful. Those bread fingers! 

This iconic etching, The Frugal Repast, was one of the first prints Picasso ever made — and it's acclaimed as one of his best. Picasso was always ready to explore new media, and quickly became an outstanding and original adept at many different printmaking techniques. These thin figures at such a frugal table give a world-weary sense of isolation and melancholy . . .    

In contrast,  Picasso's delightful aquatint, The Flea, showing a lady removing a flea from her derrière, makes you smile in its depiction of such a private moment . . .  

Matisse loved printmaking. He was especially fond of portraying nudes. Indeed, he rarely used models with any clothes on at all.

15 comments:

George said...

What a nice day with bookshops, tea shops, art, and lovely weather. From what I've heard about the rain in your area, it must have been a delightful break.

am said...

Would have loved to visit Lincoln and see this exhibit. Just checked on Google maps. Looks like that would have been a beautiful drive on that clear February day. Thank you for this!

Rubye Jack said...

What a fun and pretty day for visiting the museum. Picasso's "The Frugal Day" sure pulls you in with wonder, but one of my favorites is Matisse. I've never seen this work before though.

Dominic Rivron said...

One of my favourite shops is on Steep Hill, too, if it's still there. I've not been to it for a while.

The Solitary Walker said...

Yes, Carmen pointed it out to me, Dominic!

The Solitary Walker said...

Thanks George, Am and Rubye for your visit.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for the tour of my home turf. We always stay at the White Hart and so walk this bit regularly. Would have liked to see the exhibition though.

Ruth said...

There are nice contrasts in this post. The architecture, beautiful and various. Those plump bread fingers, the thin members of the Frugal Repast, the round woman with a flea. Tea and art in a charming location on a sunny day feels brilliant right now.

The Solitary Walker said...

It would have been nice to have seen the exhibition with you, Pat. Just two rooms, so it was not too tiring, and not crowded, so one could really concentrate on the art. We liked Picasso's and Matisse's in particular, though we were also impressed by the striking colour of Warhol's Marilyn Monroe silkscreen prints. You just never get the vividness in book or poster reproductions. Picasso's prints leaped out at you with their vitality — many contrasting subjects, from fun and bawdiness to loneliness and desolation.

The Solitary Walker said...

It was a really good day, Ruth. As for the tea shop, we had white citrus tea in wide-brimmed tea tasting cups, and it was delicious!

Amanda Summer said...

Wow - that show is almost too much to take in with two virtuoso artists in one place.

In a strange way, I almost enjoyed more the artistry of the little buildings, clinging, barnacled, to the tilted streets....

johnthebarman said...

I like Picasso and Matisse but I have never seen this. They are delightful.

The Solitary Walker said...

Yes, the buildings are full of character in Lincoln's historic centre, Amanda…

… and John, I really enjoyed this small and intimate exhibition. You weren't overwhelmed. The lights were dimmed. It was just you and the prints — close up and at eye level.

Goat said...

I'm sure you'd agree that a little frugality at the dinner table can be nicely offset by the presence of half a bottle or more of wine. In fact the more frugal the repast, the stronger the effect!

My favourite wine at the moment - we stock up on it at an enormous wine warehouse every Friday night in the glorious aftermath of delivering Kate's kids to their father - is a Californian red at an absurd $4.44 per bottle! I guzzled down a couple of glasses the other night and declared that it was the first wine I'd ever drunk that was actually thirst-quenching! Add some cheese, crackers and olives: our version of frugality.

Mmm, I just remembered it's Friday afternoon - and Valentine's Day, which is miraculous timing...

The Solitary Walker said...

'Kick your shoes off, do not fear
Bring that bottle over here
I'll be your baby tonight.'

Cheese, crackers, wine and olives sounds just my kind of not-so-frugal repast!