I wonder what it would be like to walk about freely in Windsor Castle? Slowly making my way room by room through the State Apartments freely viewing the original works of Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto and Gainsborough. The Castle is of course open to the public. But, I'd like to be able to take the time to study, sketch and learn. I promise not to break anything. I envy the Queen for the access she has to the Masters. It must be so surreal to hold in one's hands Leonardo da Vinci's drawings or simply sit and gaze at Raphael's 'The Holy Family in a landscape' for hours. The Queen's collection or The Royal Collection as it is formally known took over 500 years to assemble. Each piece was chosen by a member of the royal family. The Queen does not personally own this priceless collection. She holds it in trust for her heirs and the State.
Over 1200 works from the collection can be viewed online through the e-gallery. Because it is a private collection which was and is collected by royalty the bulk of its inventory revolves around wealth and privilege; horse racing, palace life and regal portraits. Subjects only a fortunate few can relate to. It's the skill of these great artists that make it worth seeing.
2 comments:
You post reminds me of visiting museums in Egypt. I was in awe and would have loved to just soaked in the experience. Then study the pieces there as well. You can actually feel the souls of those who have gone before you in history. Art is such a gift and legacy. Thanks, Mal
I agree.
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