Vintage London

Just love this old vintage film footage of London which was captured by a pioneering
cinematographer by the name of Claude Friese-Greene. Apparently it's the first known
colour footage of our Capital and filmed way back in 1924. The footage was part of 
26 segments from a film titled 'The Open Road'  a film that covered a distance stretching
 from Land's End in Cornwall and all the way up to John O'Groats in Scotland.

And in these brief London scenes we can see Westminster, Tower Bridge, Marble
Arch and some crowded scenes in Petticoat Lane Market.

They said that in it's early days, the cinematographer's original footage was technically
flawed. But thanks to the British Film Institute and modern technology, the footage
has been greatly improved.
I think that by correcting the speed of the film then it becomes much more real. And this is
something we saw in Peter Jackson's unbelievable restored film footage from World War I
film titled 'They Shall Not Grow Old.'

Thanks to Neil for sending me this footage.

More can be read on this story at THE DAILY MAIL. 

London Transport Shines a Light!

THE LONDON UNDERGROUND LIGHT BOX


Here's a novel gift idea that I found in my recent Christmas stocking, after dropping
a few hints. It's a plug-in London Underground Light Box which can also run on
six batteries. It must be the ultimate gift to take home for anyone visiting London.
I first saw it in the Stationary Store Rymans and was really quite taken with it.
I also saw it for sale while visiting The London Transport Museum Shop in
Covent Garden while running around town over Christmas. And it sells for
£29.99.
And with it you get 10 signs that you slide into the side of it. Those signs being.....
MIND THE GAP, LONDON, OXFORD CIRCUS, COVENT GARDEN, WATERLOO,
KING'S CROSS ST PANCRAS, PICCADILLY, ANGEL, VICTORIA and of course
UNDERGROUND.
I've noticed that it seems a lot brighter when you plug it into the mains with the
USB plug. So for now I just run it on the six batteries and it looks just fine set up on
the wall of my little spare room.

A few pictures below.

Return to Kenwood

Just a few weeks ago in the build up to Christmas I had another
look in at Kenwood House Hampstead as I was keen to try and
get some video footage on my phone. But being a sunny morning
many of the rooms were left in darkness apart from
the main Dining Room. And I was told that any bright light must
be kept off the important paintings and exhibits for fear of
destroying them.
So no filming on the day. But it did give me the chance to go
and look at some of the works that I probably overlooked on my
previous two visits, one being the Rembrandt self portrait which
hangs in The Dining Room.
In fact just as I entered the room there was a Kenwood House
tour guide informing a small group of visitors all about this great
painting. And as I came away from the group I was certain that
I overheard him saying that it was Rembrandt's sixth attempt
at the self portrait.

The Art Critic of The Guardian Jonathan Jones claims that
it is the single greatest painting in a British collection. And that
other great works like Van Gogh's Sunflower and Leonardo's
Virgin of The Rocks must surely take second place.
That article which was written shortly after the Kenwood
renovations (2012/13) can be read HERE.

The Rembrandt painting was acquired by Lord Iveagh who
owned and established Kenwood House and it's great art
collections. He originally bought the painting in 1888 at a
cost of £27,500.
And looking at this great work I do wonder what the significance is
of the two circles behind the artist.

( REMBRANDT SELF PORTRAIT - OIL ON CANVAS  -  1665 - 1669  )   

Above is an image of possibly my favourite room at Kenwood,
The Dining Room. It's here that some of the most celebrated
pictures are displayed including the Rembrandt as well as the
Vermeer.
 The voluptuous dark scarlet velvet wallpaper along with the
central chandelier add to the appeal of this grand room. 

Above left:   The Guitar Player by Jan Vermeer (1672).
This popular Vermeer portrait was temporarily displayed at
The National Gallery London in 2012 while Kenwood House
underwent important renovations.

Above right:  A portrait of inventor John Joseph Merlin by Thomas
Gainsborough (1782).
Merlin was a man of many talents. Most notably bringing about
the first manoeuvrable sedan wheelchair. He was also responsible
for inventing a harpsicord with pianoforte action.

Above:  A Coast Scene with Fishermen Hauling a Boat Ashore
by J M W Turner  (1803 - 04).
Just one of several works that greets you as you approach
the Dining Room.

Above:  Pieter van den Broecke by Frans Hals (1633 ).
Frans Hals was considered second only to Rembrandt
as a Dutch portrait painter.

SEE MY TWO PREVIOUS POSTS ON KENWOOD HOUSE HERE  AND HERE (WITH VIDEO).