May
In Which Sarah & Lady B Discuss Art(ists)
Lady B has a Turner in the library.
I shouldn’t be surprised, of course, as Beaufetheringstone House is modeled on Hogwarts, and therefore has something for everyone. Today, I’m looking for art and, as it’s the Regency, of course there’s a Turner somewhere in the house.
But here’s the thing. Lady B has my favorite Turner in the library. Snowstorm. Which is peculiar, as it wasn’t completed until 1842, and therefore should not be hanging in the library of Beaufetheringstone house. I’m getting used to the whole bending of space and time thing (I mean, Kate crashed a SHIP into the ballroom last week, and you’d never know it today), but it’s still strange.
I’m considering the strangeness when the lady herself graces me with her presence.
Lady B: I should have known I would find you here. You authoresses like libraries overmuch, you know.
Sarah: Is it possible to like libraries overmuch?
Lady B: I just said it was, Miss MacLean. Are you ignoring me again?
Sarah: Not at all, my lady. I’m simply distracted by this stunning oil.
Lady B: Ah, yes. The Turner. Lord B has always liked the boy.
Sarah: Lord B has excellent taste.
Lady B (preening): I’ve always thought so.
Sarah: Do you know him?
Lady B: Lord B? I should hope so.
Sarah: No, my lady. John Turner.
Lady B: I met him once. Very odd. Those with artistic bents often are, you know.
Sarah: Yes. I’ve heard that. I turn back to the painting. You can tell he’s a genius. It’s in the brushstrokes. The whole painting looks like it’s moving. No wonder he’s called “the painter of light.” I mean, look at this! I sigh.
Lady B (blinks): Why, Miss MacLean, hark at you! Gone all treacly over an oil painting.
Sarah (blushes): Do you think he’d come to a ball? I mean, if you invited him?
Lady B: Gone all treacly over an oil painter.
Sarah: I have not.
Lady B: You needn’t deny it. I understand treacliness. After all. I’ve been treacly once or twice myself.
Sarah: Once or twice?
Lady B (grins): What Lord B doesn’t know won’t hurt him.
That phrasing sounds suspiciously modern, but I let it slide, as Lady B is still talking.
Lady B: Turner is a good looking young man, I will say. But very brooding–artists and all that–and an utter hermit. I suppose it’s to be expected, as he’s been trotted about since he was a child, exhibited at the Royal Academy when he was 15, own studio by the time he was 18, and now…well, the boy is everywhere.
Sarah: A veritable Doogie Howser.
Lady B: A who?
Sarah: Nevermind.
Lady B: He’s not German.
Sarah: Of course not.
Lady B: English, through and through. Born in London.
Sarah: Right.
Lady B: I’m told he keeps almost no friends.
Sarah: What about women?
Lady B (with a knowing gaze): Aren’t you married?
Sarah: What Lord M doesn’t know won’t hurt him.
Lady B: Well said! I couldn’t say for sure but I hear…
Sarah (leaning in): Yes?
Lady B (holding court): I hear he keeps company with a widow in the country. Very quiet life. Paints constantly, but won’t let anyone see him work–not even the woman.
Sarah: How very…
Lady B: Odd. I know.
Sarah: Actually, I was going to say mysterious. And heroic.
Lady B (eyerolls): Miss MacLean, aren’t you the one with the rules about cavorting with artists?
Sarah: Commandments, more like.
Lady B: I suggest keeping to them.
Sarah: But brooding is so… le sigh
Lady B: You’re going treacly again. And French. Esque.
Sarah: Apologies. So…that’s a no on the invitation to the ball?
Lady B: Most assuredly. Especially now. I’m afraid you’ll embarrass me.
–
Is there a person in the world who makes you all treacly with their talent? Someone you’d love to chat with at a ball? Someone who, perhaps, Lady B has connections to? Someone whom you might embarrass yourself over?
May 3, 2012
11:05 am
LOL!! Delightful post, Sarah, thank you. I love that particular Turner, too, as well as THE STORM and THE SLAVE SHIP in which his use of extraordinary color to denote movement so wonderfully done. He truly was a great talent.
I can’t really say that I am ‘treacly’ over anyone in particular but I wouldn’t mind a chance to have lunch with Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters – just to chat. : )
May 3, 2012
3:24 pm
I think I’d be pretty treacly over Austen and Bronte, too, Amy. Excellent choice!
May 3, 2012
11:29 am
Lovely post Sarah!
I was able to see a some great Turner paintings when I visited the Fricke collection with a friend of mine two years ago. I can see why he’s a favorite! I really loved the Cologne and Dieppe paintings.
Besides all the lovely and talented authoresses on this very blog, I think the one person who’d make me all treacly would probably be Nora. She was the very first romance novelist I’ve ever read (I started with her fantastic MacGregor series), and I haven’t looked back since! I am in absolute awe of her talent and her ability to create wonderful full dimensional characters, and draw me into whatever world she’s created, whether it be group of sisters living in a ranch in Montana, four friends running a wedding business in Greenwich CT, or a large family headed up by a larger than life Scottish patriarch who is an irrepressible matchmaker.
I fear if I were ever to meet Nora, the possibility would be quite high that I’d embarass myself as I doubt I’d be able to speak while I’m squeeing and fangirling inside! Lol No doubt I’d be totally tongue tied.
May 3, 2012
3:25 pm
The Fricke is one of my very favorite museums, Lisa…lucky you! I totally hear you about Nora! I hope to someday meet her, but I’m honestly not sure what I would say…I mean…what do you say to the person who is queen of your world? Amazing.
May 3, 2012
12:07 pm
Excellent post! I fear I am not a Turner fan (Raphael is my favored artist), but I appreciate the enthusiasm over any art. As far as whom I may meet to cause me to get treacly…I’m not sure. Prince Harry, perhaps?
May 3, 2012
12:20 pm
Oh, talent. I missed that part. In that case, Raphael. For living individuals, I think I’ve met all the people who would make me treacly, yourself included.
May 3, 2012
12:41 pm
Don’t worry, Noelle. Some might consider princeliness to be an artistic talent. Especially a certain Shakespearean princeliness.
May 3, 2012
3:26 pm
Agree. And I’d definitely go treacly for Prince Harry. No doubt.
May 3, 2012
12:16 pm
Huge, huge Turner fan here, Sarah. Not sure he’d be much fun at a party but the man could paint. I went to a brilliant show of his work at the Tate Gallery a few years ago that showed the different styles he mastered before settling into what we think of as Turner. (And which I’m happy to say pisses off the French because he makes Monet look a lot less revolutionary.)
I wonder if Lady B could twist time and get the child (or adult) Mozart to play in The Ballroom. That would make me treacly. I’d also like to meet Byron and I’m sure that could be arranged. Actually, what I really want to do is correspond with Byron. The man wrote the most amazing letters.
May 3, 2012
12:43 pm
Sigh, yes to Mozart. And Byron. And Chopin and Liszt and Beethoven. And Renee Fleming, Eddie Vedder, yeah I could just go on.
May 3, 2012
3:35 pm
Miss Neville, sadly, Maestro Mozart is long departed, but Lord Byron is my third cousin, once removed, and I see no reason why I could not facilitate a correspondence between you and he. I am sure he would enjoy it greatly, considering the fact that he’s something of a cad.
May 3, 2012
5:46 pm
What about Brahms? Please say he could visit the ballroom, Lady B. Please???
May 3, 2012
10:02 pm
Yes please! And what about the Italians? Donizetti? Rossini? I love his Barber of Seville.
May 3, 2012
12:19 pm
I love Turner, him and Hogarth are my national gallery ‘ most loved’
In terms of people who make me go treacly for their talent there is the incomparable Wellington who would probably be bemused at my adoration but has it nontheless and Keats who I don’t think needs any explanations, he is a romantic’s dream.
May 3, 2012
3:27 pm
Heh. Wellington! I wonder how he was in real life, honestly. Probably a bit of a jerk. Or maybe I’m stereotyping?
I’m with you on Keats, but I’m with Miranda and her Byron theory on him. I’d rather just write letters.
May 3, 2012
4:03 pm
I can’t imagine Wellington being the easiest person to get along with but I would brave his icy stares and win him over with my fangirl gushing. After all somewhere in there is still the boy who played violin and only became a soldier to improve his prospects enough to marry the girl of his choice.
May 3, 2012
5:47 pm
Yes yes yes to Wellington. Just to be near him for a bit would make me happy.
May 3, 2012
6:00 pm
Can you imagine walking into a ballroom and being faced with this….
I would just melt into an adoring puddle of joy.
May 3, 2012
8:17 pm
Hehehe. I think you wouldn’t be alone, LL…especially not in Lady B’s ballroom.
May 3, 2012
12:47 pm
Very nice, Sarah. Turner has wonderful paintings. I also really love Alma Tadema. Every time I go to the Getty I stand in front of his Spring and marvel.
And love Renoir, and Kokoschka, and Magritte. But if we are talking about treacly as in I really want to meet them in person? I’m not sure then. All of the above, plus the ones I’ve mentioned in earlier comments, I think I’d just like to meet with their talent. So I guess I’d have to pick a musician from pre-recording days so I get to hear their versions of their compositions.
May 3, 2012
3:28 pm
Musicians! Excellent choice, Sabrina. Though chilling with Magritte could be pretty awesome. And weird.
May 3, 2012
7:41 pm
STING!!!! Or should I say Sir Sting now?
And Andrea Bocelli. Dropdead gorgeous voice.
May 3, 2012
1:33 pm
I must admit I’m not exceptionally well-informed about art, though I do love wandering through the Met when I’m in New York.
And I don’t know if I’d call it “treacly” but I did make myself look like quite the fool in front of one of my favorite musicians. Many years ago, I had the chance to see violinist Joshua Bell play with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. If you’re not familiar with Bell, he’s an amazing musician who also happens to be quite attractive. After the concert, I went to get my program signed, telling myself that I was going to remain calm, cool and collected when I met him.
I walked up, feeling quite nervous and when I handed him my program to sign, I opened my mouth and what came out can only be described as inane, frenetic, giddy babble – pretty much what I’m sure Justin Bieber hears all the time. I don’t think I made any sense whatsoever. I’d like to think I was just overwhelmed by his musical ability and dreamy good looks, but mostly I just looked and acted crazy.
I still have the signed program though.
May 3, 2012
3:30 pm
Heh. I bet he loved it, Meredith. I think that’s a fabulous story!
May 3, 2012
5:47 pm
I do so like an attractive musician!
May 3, 2012
7:47 pm
Love Joshua Bell! You’re lucky!
Not to sound too bizarro but I would also add British philosopher Roger Scruton…who is brilliant and Gets It.
May 3, 2012
3:11 pm
I spent yesterday with Turner! And a host of other wonderful masters, at the Met in NYC. Visiting the Met was just a dream come true for me, after spending my childhood reading and re-reading From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.
I love Turner, and one wrote an artist heroine so influenced by him that she assumed the name Miss Turner when she ran away.
I think yesterday, though, the artist I went most treacly for is Viennese sculptor Antonio Canova. Sculpture is so impossible to fully appreciate through photos, and the Met has several just breathtaking marbles.
This one lives in the Louvre. Someday, I hope to visit it!
May 3, 2012
3:29 pm
So happy you’re back from NYC and had a gorgeous time…and so sad I missed you, Tessa!
I’m with you on sculpture. My sculptor of choice is Rodin…would love to hang out with him. And his hands. If you know what I mean. And I think you do.
May 3, 2012
3:49 pm
Sculptures are wonderful. There’s something so much more tactile…er, emotional to a 3-D representation. I recently urged a good friend to invest in a wax statue of Hugh Jackman, since the 2-D versions she already had lacked a certain…reality.
Oh, and Miss Turner’s book is still my favorite!
May 3, 2012
5:51 pm
Tessa, I adore this piece. I have a mini-version in my office that I use as a bookend. And it just so happens that there’s a sculpture identical to it in my hero’s country estate house in In the Arms of a Marquess. Perhaps not a coincidence.
May 3, 2012
7:50 pm
Oh, oh, oh, I have a Canova fact for you! He sculpted Napoleon’s “beautiful” sister Paulina in the nuditee. She married one of the Italian princes during the Regency period (oh snap I can’t remember which one…a Borghese maybe?) and of course dear brother Bonaparte made sure she got a crown too along with his other siblings. She was his favorite sister, the looker of the family.
Oh, I feel like the Murder She Wrote lady, using research from a book in the real-ish world for once!
May 3, 2012
8:08 pm
Love Pauline Borghese. She was a very naughty girl. Wellington bought her Parisian mansion and it is still the British Embassy.
May 3, 2012
9:50 pm
Nicely done, Miranda! Cool to know.
May 3, 2012
5:15 pm
I would LOVE to meet Charles Dickens. He makes me go treacly with his talent. I might embarass myself a bit in front of him.
But, if we are going with the regency, I would embarass myself in front of Byron, for sure. Would love for him to give me a look of disdain. I have always thought he would look down at me because in the words of Jane Austen – I am not pretty enough to tempt him.
As for painters, William Turner also does very nice work – love his tall ship pictures. I would LOVE to meet and have a portrait done by George Romney. His portraits are so life like and very beautiful. Love the ones he has done of Emma Hamilton.
As for Arthur Wellesley
The Duke of Wellington, I picture him to be very handsome and perhaps he did know it. I think he got to be a bit of an old fart, to paraphrase, but he is still my hero.
I wonder if Mozart was like they had Tom Hulce play him in Amadeus, if so, he would be fun to meet. I also like J.S. Bach, but I wouldn’t be able to go all fan girl over him like Wolfie, I don’t think Bach would like that.
May 3, 2012
7:45 pm
Jamie, we could go on a double date for lunch – you and Charles Dickens, and me and Mark Twain. What do you think?
May 3, 2012
8:24 pm
Agreed!
May 3, 2012
5:56 pm
Turner’s Snowstorm is truly wonderful, Sarah. I’m so sorry Lady B won’t allow him to visit the ballroom for you!
I would be a speechless puddle at the feet of both Caravaggio and Sebastiao Salgado. Caravaggio’s paintings make me physically weak with a strange sort of delicious longing, and Sebastiao Salgado’s photos make me weep and sing, oftentimes at once. Treacly indeed!
May 3, 2012
8:15 pm
Oh, Caravaggio is a great choice, Katharine! I bet Lady B has one of those somewhere, too!
May 3, 2012
8:18 pm
As a matter of fact, Miss MacLean, we have two.
May 3, 2012
7:23 pm
seeing if my post will take
May 3, 2012
7:25 pm
yea- I’ve been trying for days, and my posts wouldn’t take. I would go all treacly for Colin Firth. Duh!
May 3, 2012
8:11 pm
Your posts are taking! I’m sorry they haven’t been working…I’m going to check the spam filter!
May 3, 2012
8:13 pm
Found them all, Susan…so weird! You were trapped in the spam filter! Don’t know why, but I’ve labeled you “not spam,” and hopefully that will help!
May 3, 2012
7:44 pm
I’ve never heard the term treacly before. Would it be wildly improper of me to say you could take that a number of different ways?
I go pretty treacly over “Lone Survivor” Marcus Lattrell… in both senses. ;>
May 3, 2012
8:14 pm
I use treacly all the time, Gaelen, and you are welcome to do the same! And any way you imagine, I’ve used it.
May 3, 2012
9:51 pm
LOL, good! I thought maybe you had made it up. I love making up words. (Writer dork that I am.)
May 3, 2012
9:50 pm
Thanks, Sarah!
May 3, 2012
10:18 pm
If I had my druthers (I believe druthers is my treacly, in terms of usage, Sarah, although its from the Gilded Age era) I would invite George R R Martin to the party. He may not be swoon-worthy, but his stories sure are!
May 5, 2012
7:26 pm
I have a few people I would love to meet. Jane Austen is my fav regency author. Byron, Shelley, Keats, Blake, The Bronte Sisters, Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” is my favorite classical song. Van Gogh. I love his “Starry Night”.Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” is one of my fav poems. Canova’s “Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss” is an absolute masterpiece.
Apr 18, 2013
8:44 pm
Bocelli was born in 1958 to Alessandro and Edi Bocelli, even though they were advised to abort him.He has stated that his mother’s decision to give birth to him and overrule the doctor’s advice was the inspiration for him to hold a pro-life view toward abortion.[33] They lived on the family farm, selling farm machinery and making wine in the small village of La Sterza, a frazione of Lajatico, Tuscany, Italy, which is about 40 km (25 mi) south of Pisa. Bocelli’s mother and younger brother Alberto still live in the family home. Bocelli’s father died in 2000.’
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