What February brings
Upcoming news! I am currently preparing for a unique art tour of the Mediterranean.
Saga Sapphire cruises, has commissioned me to lecture, and demonstrate, to an exclusive art loving audience on “fakes and forgeries” on a luxury liner cruising the seas following the classic Impressionist’s of the Mediterranean.
Here’s the run down! First port of call; Bilbao Spain, and the famous Guggenheim Museum of modern and contemporary art. I’m really looking forward to see all the world class art on offer, particularly the works of Willem de Kooning and Mark Rothko.
Next up, we sail to beautiful port of Malaga the birthplace of Picasso and a visit to the Picasso Museum, dedicated to the masters’ life and his work. A definite check on anyones bucket list!
Departing then to the fabulous city of Barcelona, the showcase for Antoni Gaudi’s masterpiece of Catalan Modernism and architectural splendour, The Sagrada Famila, by no stretch, practically a seventh wonder of the world.
Next stop, Palamos, with a trip to Dali’s home, and in the town of Figueres, the Dali Theatre-Museum, one of the world’s largest surrealist objects and Dali’s final resting place, where Dali’s crypt lays below the stage.
Leaving Spain, we set sail for France, first docking in the serene town of Sete. A visit to Arles (where Van Gogh cut of a portion of his ear!) has one of the worlds’ grandest Roman amphitheatres. Van Gogh resided here for many years and painted some of his most famous paintings. “The Café Terrace” and “The Sunflowers” being but a few I have recreated.
Van Gogh stayed at The ‘Yellow House’ his studio in the south. Following on a stroll around the cobbled streets of Carcassonne a beautiful Medieval walled city.
Back on board we move on to Toulon with its labyrinth of narrow streets and markets. Continuing on to the capital of Provence, Aix-en Provence and back on the art trail to follow in the footstep of Paul Cezanne. A visit to the Atelier de Cezanne, Cezanne’s former studio, and ‘Mont Sainte-Victoire’, a subject of many of Cezanne’s famous paintings.
Departing France to Italy, and onto one of my favourite cities, Florence, arguably the worlds’ centre for classic Renaissance art, breath-taking paintings, sculpture and architecture.
The magnificent Uffizi Gallery remains one of the world’s leading art museums with works by Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli and, the most famous sculptor in the world, Michelangelo, and perhaps the most famous statue of them all, “David” in the Accademia! Definitely another personal ‘must’!
Embarking once more, with a return to Spain. Last stops at stunning Palma de Mallorca, and ancient city of Cadiz. More tapas and Rioja, before turning homeward to Blighty. Phew!
