If you have been to London this year, you are bound to have seen the distinctive poster for the Royal Academy of Arts’ giant exhibition of works by Édouard Manet (1832-1883), Manet Portraying Life which finishes this Sunday, 14th April. If…
Édouard Manet (1832-1883) Last month I was in Paris where I spent some time at the inspirational D’Orsay museum where no one works were more impressive than Manet’s and where, because this was out of the tourist season, I could…
Now come on lads, a joke’s a joke but this is getting silly. Nuclear weapons are not toys so don’t play with them. That goes for you too Prime Minister Cameron.
Last night I finished reading Irish writer, Noel Duffy’s two novellas, The Return Journey & Our Friends Electric published by Ward Wood Publishing who, I’m proud to say, are also going to publish my novel, Stephen Dearsley’s Summer Of Love,…
On the first Wednesday of every month, I host a meeting of Lewes’ First Wednesday Writers in the wholesomely welcoming Pleasant Stores in Lewes. So I’m sorting through my poetry to see what i should read later. I’m hoping that…
A traditional and enjoyable way of spending the Easter Monday bank holiday in the United Kingdom is a day at the races. I live very near to the racecourse at Plumpton in East Sussex and , as I’ve always enjoyed…
In spite of the freezing temperatures over the last week, my Spring bulbs have grouped together in the spirit of Easter. Now that my garden feels like it’s getting going, I feel much better too.
The Resurrection of Christ, 1611, by Peter Paul Rubins (1577-1640) A touch of Flemish Baroque for Easter Sunday and no on does that kind of thing better than Rubens. This mini voyage through the music of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594) can’t really end…
The Entombment Of Christ, 1602, by Caravaggio (1571-1610) I shouldn’t need an excuse to publish this powerful painting by the highly dramatic Italian artist Caravaggio but Easter Saturday is as good a reason as most. The same is true of…
Crucifix, 1287, by Cimabue (1240-1302 In this series of great paintings with an Easter theme, I’m moving on to the gloomiest day of the holiday. Gloomy means beauty in so many ways so I’m unapologetic about posting this wonderful piece…