Cathy's Art Diary

Fascinating exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery looking at the art collection of Charles II. I managed to do this on the same day as the Charles I show at the Royal Academy which filled the slight gap, in turn created by that exhibition, of how Charles II regathered his father’s collection. It was mentioned and it was lovely to see some of the proclamations asking for it back, however there were few examples of what he reacquired because they were on the other side of Green Park! Instead this show focused on what Charles II collected for himself dividing the two main rooms into contemporary art and older works. It was nice to see Dutch art entering the collection following his exile there during the Commonwealth. I loved the room of contemporary work with not only some of Lely’s Windsor Beauties but also their complimentary set of sea captains and admirals commissioned by the Duke of York.   The first section looking at Charles flight from England and restoration was fasc...

Interesting workshop at Conway Halls organised by the London Art History Society looking at the current exhibitions on the collections of Charles I & II. The day was led by Clare Ford-Wille and took us through both exhibitions with an excellent hand out highlighting the main works to look out for and to use in the shows. However I’d hoped for more of the narrative behind the shows. For example I’d have liked to know more about Charles I purchase of the Matua collection and what it contained plus more on how Charles II went about reclaiming objects from his father’s collection. She touched on these topics but only where the shows did and not in a chronological way. I’ve not seen either shows yet but can’t wait!