New York, Frick Collection In 1798 John Constable met Dr John Fisher who was rector of Langham in Suffolk near to Constable’s family home. His friendship with the Fisher family blossomed and Constable was invited to Windsor in 1802 where Fisher was canon. In 1807 John Fisher, who was a favorite of George III, was … Read more

New York, Frick Collection What could American robber barons Henry Clay Frick and J. Pierpont Morgan and famed courtesan Madame du Barry, mistress of Louis XV, all have in common? Why, their taste in art, of course. Around 1771, Madame du Barry commissioned celebrated Rococo artist Fragonard to create a decorative cycle for a new … Read more

New York, Frick Collection On July 14th 1656 Rembrandt applied to the High Court of Holland for cessio bonorum – a voluntary surrender of goods to creditors. A few days later an inventory of his effects was drawn up which illustrated part of the problem – lavish spending on a splendid collection of art – … Read more

London, National Gallery The first thing that one notes when viewing this picture is the very odd setting. The four faces seem to glow out of a dark and brooding landscape. The eponymous rocks are arranged like nothing in this world and the rock canopy does not obey any earthly laws of physics, otherwise it … Read more

London, Courtauld Institute of Art Pissarro was the only artist to take part in all eight Impressionist Exhibitions (though none of them bore the title which is now used). He fulfilled a pivotal role in the development of Impressionism and in the movements it later spawned, becoming something of a father figure and mentor to … Read more

London, Courtauld Institute of Art The Folies-Bergère was the largest, and one of the most fashionable places of entertainment in Paris. Reflected in the mirror of Manet’s painting, behind the barmaid, one can see part of the cavernous interior —­­ the chink of glasses, the music of a band and the roar of hundreds of … Read more

Paris, Musée du Louvre In Amsterdam in the summer of 1654, a pregnant, 28-year-old nursemaid by the name of Hendrickje Stoffels (1626–1663), was called before the Church Council to answer charges of ‘living in whoredom with the painter Rembrandt’. She worked in Rembrandt’s household, caring for the painter’s young son, Titus, and had for some … Read more

London, Wallace Collection This piece has a curiously ‘modern’ feel — it would not look out of place in an exhibition of works from the last years of the nineteenth century. The direct and challenging stare, the fact that her hat is casting a shadow over the most important part of any portrait, the head … Read more

Paris, Musée du Louvre In 1632, the Flemish painter van Dyck accepted the invitation of King Charles I to come to England. Taking up the role of ‘chief ordinary painter to Their Majesties’ he enjoyed immense popularity; it became de rigueur for anyone of standing to have his or her portrait done by van Dyck. … Read more

London, Tate This was Bacon’s first mature work. It was completed in 1944 shortly after the artist devoted himself to painting full time. Although an early work it is quintessential Bacon encapsulating the horror, pain and revulsion which are essential elements of his output. Of course the timing of its execution during the climax of … Read more