The sculptures of the four bronze lions in Trafalgar Square in London are very memorable. If you have never been there, I am sure you recognize them from photos of London. They are called "Landseer's lions" because they were designed and made by Sir Edwin Landseer, a painter and sculptor from the Victorian era. Until Feb. 3, you may see one of his most famous paintings, "The Monarch of the Glen" at the National Gallery in London. (Also in Trafalgar Square.) And please tell me if you get to see it, I won't be able to do so but I'd love to know that I told someone else to view it. (This is the first time the painting has been at the National Gallery since 1851, so a pretty special thing to see, if you ask me.)
Interesting to me, Sir Edwin Lanseer had only seen lions at the London Zoo, and he based the sculptural design upon the drawings that he made from his observations of them. I like his paintings very much. You may see more of them just here. Do you have a favorite? I keep going back to the one of the falcon. After all, I have observed birds myself for many years and I know for a fact how perfectly he has painted those feathers...
(He is very famous for his paintings of dogs, there is a breed of a Newfoundland dog which is called the Landseer Newfoundland.)
The gingko tree at the monastery here in Conyers just lost its beautiful yellow leaves recently and Richard took some photos, of course! Can you see the face of the lion in the photo above? I saw it right away, it is only just the face, almost a smiling face, just in the middle...do you see it? There, I hope that makes you smile!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Does anyone remember me writing about our friends, Joy & Henry in England? Henry fell and broke his hip recently, so I hope that you will leave your get well wishes here for him! Henry, I was going to tell a funny story here to cheer you up but how about I show you some photos of our leaves instead?
These last two photos were taken this week, on Dec. 3rd!
There, Henry, does the light shining upon these leaves cheer you up? I hope so! Just know that we are thinking about you and wishing you the best.
To all my blogging friends, I have not been very well and not able to visit many blogs but I hope I am getting better now. Hope you are all doing well! Take care.
What magnificent autumn colours! I hope they cheer up your friend Henry and encourage a speedy and full recovery for him.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've been to Trafalgar Square and have seen Landseer's magnificent lions at the base of Nelson's Column. Apparently, the bronze to cast the lions was obtained by melting down French cannons taken from the defeated Napoleonic forces.
The bronze is from the French cannons from Napoleon's wars? That's awesome. Thanks for saying that our autumn colors are magnificent, we think so too! I do so hope that Henry will see your good well wishes for him soon. Thanks very much.
DeleteBeautiful colours! The Gingko is my Mum's favourite tree. She even has a small real gingko leaf covered in gold as a penchant (or was it a brooch?).
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you've not been well. I wish you a swift and complete recovery!
My own first cold of this season (and hopefully the last...) started yesterday. I shall still go to work today, as I have the office to myself and won't infect anyone else, but I doubt I can travel to OK's tomorrow morning. He's preparing for the village band's Christmas concert and can't afford to be ill.
So interesting about those lions on Trafalgar Square! It's been almost 12 years since my last visit to London, but I've often walked across that square.
Oh! I will think of your Mum every time that I see those beautiful gingko trees at the Monastery! They are just gorgeous!!
DeleteI hope that YOU are getting better also! My illness, well, I just can't seem to get over it.
I know that you must love those lions in Trafalgar Square also! Do you see the lion's face in the gingko leaves? It is only small but I saw it right away!
I have seen (and photographed) those lions on a number of occasions, but never knew they were by Landseer. We learn lots from you! I think Monarch of the Glen is a great painting - but where does it live most of the time? Can you tell us?
ReplyDeleteLove love love those golden leaves, and never tire of seeing them. Hope to get over to see for ourselves in Fall 2019..fingers crossed :)
Oh yes, the painting "Monarch of the Glen" was at the National GAllery of Scotland in Edinburgh, I think.
DeleteHope you do get to see the autumnal leaves in 2019! :-)
Dear Kay, I am so sorry you have not been well and am hoping you continue to recover quickly! And I send Henry best wishes for healing and health, too. Beautiful photos of leaves. I wonder how hold that ginkgo tree is! It's huge. I have one in my front yard about a quarter of a century old and it's not anything like the same size. And the leaves fell quite a while ago and the ground beneath is all covered with snow...Finally, I saw the lion, much smaller than I was looking for, but right where you said he would be. Landseer's work was so popular and ubiquitous in the Victorian era and lingered after, that it was quite out of favor for a time, I think. But happily that has changed.
ReplyDeleteI really should have said that there are two gingko trees, one on either side of that brick stairway that is pictured. I wonder if the monks planted them in the 1950's or 1960's...not really sure but I can say that they were the only gingko trees that I knew of in this area. So glad you noticed the lion's face too!
DeleteLike you, I also like the art by Landseer!
And I thank you very much for the well wishes for Henry! Best wishes for healing and health, that is lovely. x
I have seen the lions, but didn't realize they were by Landseer. Love his paintings.
ReplyDeleteSince you are both so artistic, I am pleased that you like his paintings too!
DeleteBest wishes to you and Henry. Beautiful colorful leaves.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your well wishes all the way from Hawaii!!
Deletepretty leaves
ReplyDeleteThank you! November was lovely with them.
DeleteHenry, i am adding you to my prayer list for a speedy recovery!
ReplyDeleteHenry, I hope you will be reading this soon and see these well wishes from the great state of Louisiana! Thank you, Mimi!
DeleteI've stayed in the place where he got the idea and painted Monarch of the Glen during my hillwalking days. Good artist.
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful to know! I think he was an amazing artist!
DeleteLeaves make great photos.
ReplyDeleteAt least Henry has the NHS to take care of him.
The NHS, yes, I do hope they are taking great care of him.
Deletelovely photos I have never been there. There is something nasty going around both my husband and I have been very sick. I am rarely sick I try so hard to take care of myself but this has kicked be for sure.
ReplyDeleteCathy
Kicked me for sure, I know the feeling! Hope you and your husband are getting better now. I seem to get better and then...I take a turn for the worse! AND I look DREADFUL, no kidding, I am as pale as the proverbial GHOST! Once again, hope you are better soon. x
DeleteFirstly I wish you a speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteI've seen The Monarch of The Glen several times. It is a magnificent painting. However the wonders of natural autumn colours eclipse it and are available to all who can see.
Thank you, Graham!
DeleteAvailable to all who can see...that is so true. People often shake their heads at me when I am going on and on about our trees but I don't care, they just don't see beauty!
I didn't mean to sound regretful about not seeing the painting, but I honestly would be pleased if I told someone to see it and they did so!
Your post reminded me of the old music hall song "I live in Trafalgar Square with four lions to guard me". It's going round in my head now! Those leaves are beautiful, thank you for sharing Rishard's photos. I hope you feel better soon and I wish Henry a speedy recovery. x
ReplyDeleteThank you for the well wishes for Henry! I hope he will see your kind words too!
DeleteTHANK you also for telling me about the song! I know a lot of those kind of songs but I have never heard of that one...it is perfect to go with this post, so I have added it now! You are a doll to tell me about it! xx
I didn't see any lions or faces. Trees are pretty and I know some folks are now saying not to rake leaves let them be etc, the problem with that is they become quite slippery on steps and sidewalks when wet or covered with snow and get slimy and leave terrible stains when spring rolls around. And leaving them on your grass kills the grass. Ours weren't very pretty this year, must be weather related; as they've been prettier in other years.
ReplyDeleteThe leaves from the gingko trees don't seem to bother the grass any and the leaves do not get slippery or slimy. Perhaps the monks check them if we have a lot of rain, not sure, I only know that I am grateful to see all those yellow leaves as they have fallen. Believe me, we have leaves on our steps and walkways that I must sweep off as they can be slippery. I don't blow them off though, I can't stand those loud blowers! :-)
DeleteThe falcon painting is what I like most. You still have Autumn colors. Our trees have lost their leaves.
ReplyDeleteWe just had tons of rain this weekend, so now...not too many leaves left, but we had them for such a long time and they were gorgeous!
DeleteGlad you liked the falcon too! :-)
I'm sorry to learn you've not been well, Kay. I hope you're on the mend now. Take good care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos...thanks for sharing.
Hello Lee! I hope I am getting better now, thank you.
DeleteI LOVE those leaves! That color makes me want to sing. x