LOOK OF LOVE OPENS IN MINNEAPOLIS

Oval Gold Pendant surrounded by seed pearls.ca 1830

The Look of Love: Eye Miniatures from the Skier Collection 

The exhibition opens May 15, 2014, and runs through August 24, at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts  Click here for their website.

Gold Oval brooch and pendant surrounded by split pearls, ca. 1835-40

 

Here at Number One London, we have a close and affectionate feeling for this wonderful and unique exhibition.  Our frequent guest blogger Jo Manning wrote  some very special stories for the catalogue.
Here is Jo’s blog about the original opening at the Birmingham Museum of Art in March, 2012.

Bracelet surmounted with miniature in gold surround with drop pearl;
 plaited hairwork on reverse; gray right eye. n.d.
Victoria had a delightful meeting with Nan Skier at the original venue, the Birmingham Museum of Art in Alabama visited in April, 2012. You can read an account of that meeting here.


Jo attended the opening at the Look of Love Exhibitions’ second venue in Georgia, and wrote about it here.

Rose gold octagonal pendant surrounded by blue enamel with half pearls. Brown left eye.


The Look of Love exhibition was also shown at the Winterthur Museum in Delaware. September 21, 2013 – January 5, 2044. Click here for more information.


Gold oval brooch surrounded by foil-backed red pastes, ca. 1790. Blue left eye
surrounded by curls. Attributed to Richard Cosway.


Here’s hoping you have had an opportunity to see this outstanding collections of treasures!


All photos, ©Birmingham Museum of Art, Sean Pathasema, photographer

WHAT'S IN A NAME? THE BIRTH OF "WELLINGTON"

By Guest Blogger Greg Roberts

William Wellesley-Pole (1763-1845)
Historians have always been particularly nasty about Arthur Wellesley’s older brother William Wellesley-Pole. He has been variously described as ‘opportunistic and not a little devious’; ‘the worst type of hanger-on’; and harshest of all: ‘a nonentity’. To cap it all his obituary in The Times is still considered one of the most savage ever printed:
 [He] was simply angry- angry at all times with every person and about everything.; his sharp, shrill, loud voice grating on the ear…an undignified ineffective speaker, an indiscreet politician…advancing in years without improving in reputation.
Over the years I have presented papers at various venues including the Wellington Congress intended to overturn this somewhat biased and inaccurate assessment of Wellesley-Pole. In any other family he would have been feted, but Wellesley-Pole was dwarfed by the achievements of his other brothers; Richard, Governor General of India (1797-1805); and Arthur, perhaps Britain’s greatest military general. But we should remember that Wellesley-Pole was responsible for the silver coinage introduced in 1817 which remained in circulation until 1971 – and this was just one of several enduring achievements in his own right.  Far from being a ‘nonentity’ Wellesley-Pole was actually a very loyal and trustworthy brother, content to stay out of the limelight, and blessed with the one gift that eluded all the Wellesley clan: a long and happy marriage.
The one thing that historians cannot ignore is the role that Wellesley-Pole played in the creation of ‘Wellington’. This is revealed in the Raglan MS at Gwent Archives, containing correspondence between Wellesley-Pole and Arthur covering a decade from 1807. This very important primary source is often used to illustrate Arthur’s unvarnished opinions about the performance of government, progress of the war, and the conduct of his family during these momentous years. Yet the many letters FROM Wellesley-Pole TO Arthur are scarcely ever acknowledged even though these contain an equally rich vein of personal insight. It is almost as if Wellesley-Pole is considered persona non-gratis – even in his own archives.
But by reading both sides of the Raglan MS it becomes clear that, from his position at the heart of government, Wellesley-Pole acted as Arthur’s ‘remote-secretary’. His services ranged from provision of tea and other home comforts, through to supplying a new sword or replacement horses. He relayed the latest news, gathered opinions, and soothed often fractious relations between the Cabinet and the Peninsular Army. Hence, following Arthur’s victory at Talavera in 1809 Wellesley-Pole was asked to find a suitable title for his feted brother. He was reluctant to be saddled with such an important responsibility, but King would not wait, and an immediate decision was required. So Wellesley-Pole took up his pen and wrote to Arthur:
After ransacking the peerage… I at last determined upon Viscount Wellington of Talavera and of Wellington, and Baron Douro of Welleslie in the County of Somerset. Wellington is a town not far from Welleslie, and no person has chosen the title. I trust that you will not think there is anything unpleasant or trifling in the name of Wellington, but [in the] circumstances… I could not easily have done better. I own I feel in rather an embarrassing situation for it is impossible for me to know whether I have acted as you would have had me…but you should have explained to me your wishes before ever you left England, in case of such an event.
In the anxious days awaiting a reply from the Peninsular, Wellesley-Pole’s nerves would hardly have been soothed when Arthur’s wife Kitty declared ‘Wellington I do not like for it recalls nothing. However, it is done & I suppose it could not be avoided.’ The fact Wellesley-Pole did not consult Kitty says a lot about the role of women in society at that time, for it seems odd that she was presented with a fait accompli, and literally had to live with Wellesley-Pole’s decision for the rest of her life.
Eventually and to Wellesley-Pole’s immense relief
his choice of title met with unqualified approval from Arthur:
My opinion is that you have done exactly what you ought to have done… You have chosen most fortunately, and I am very much obliged to you. I could not have been better off for a name if we had discussed the subject twenty times
It’s a shame to see how lazily generations of historians have negatively pigeon-holed Wellesley-Pole, when denying his close relationship with Wellington must surely prevent a fuller understanding of this great military genius.  Even the creation of ‘Wellington’ is too often considered an egotistical act on Wellesley-Pole’s when a quick perusal of the relevant letters can easily demonstrate that Wellesley-Pole had no choice but to stand proxy, and that his motives were honourable as he tried to balance the needs of government with the wishes of his beloved brother.
If you would like to know more about the Wellesley-Pole family, please check out my blog www.wickedwilliam.com at which I will be doing a series of posts devoted to Wellington’s relationship with Wellesley-Pole’s children:  Mary Bagot, ‘Wicked William’ Long-Wellesley, Priscilla Burghersh & Emily Raglan. This quartet each played very significant but wildly differing roles in the life and times of the Duke of Wellington.

You can follow Greg Roberts on Twitter: @geggly @Mary_Bagot




THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON TOUR – VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS – PART 9

HIGHCLERE CASTLE



Highclere Castle Victorian

One of the stops along the route of The Duke of Wellington Tour that we’re looking forward to visiting is Highclere Castle, home of the Earls of Carnarvon. In addition to the fabulous interiors, we’ll also be viewing the Egyptian collection, comprised of artifacts from King Tut’s tomb, the discovery of which was funded by the 5th Earl of Carnarvon. I’m particularly interested in walking the grounds and seeing the park, designed by Capability Brown. Here are a few video highlights of what we’ll be seeing at Highclere –
The 8th Countess of Carnarvon discusses The Real Downton Abbey and offers a tour of the Castle here.
Follow the Countess through more rooms in the Castle here.
Footage of the exteriors, grounds and secret garden here.
If you were invited to spend the weekend at Downton Abbey’s Highclere Castle a hundred years ago,
would you know what to wear, how to act, which fork to use? Michael Bertolini, Curator and President of the Warwick (NY) Historical Society gives an informative Talk on Downton Abbey-style living.  (1 hour)
For absolutely stunning scenery of the countryside surrounding Highclere Castle, you can watch this five minute video – The Wayfarers Walking Vacations “Downton Abbey” walk .
Victoria will be writing next weeks “Video Highlights” post, in which she’ll bring you clips of the flip side of Highclere Castle – Downton Abbey. Until then, here’s a very funny bit of silliness put together for Red Nose Day 2011 called “Uptown Downstairs Abbey.


COMPLETE DETAILS OF 

THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON TOUR

CAN BE FOUND HERE.

LONDON'S RICHEST TUBE LINES

Piccadilly and Northern Line Commuters 

 The Wealthiest in London

• Piccadilly Line commuters earn more than £56k on average
• Commuters on Hammersmith & City Line are least well-off
• Commuters on Deep Level lines earn 20 per cent more

Commuters on the Piccadilly and Northern Line are the richest in London, according to the London offices of Randstad the specialist recruiter.

A survey of 1,000 working Londoners who spend the majority of their commute on the Tube found the average salary of someone commuting on the Piccadilly Line is £56,250. The Northern Line trails close behind at £47,250.

Mark Bull, CEO of Randstad said: “With Bank a key stop on the Northern Line, you might think this would be the wealthiest tube line. While twenty years ago the Square Mile was home to pretty much every financial institution in London, the wealth has now spread east to Canary Wharf and west to the West End. The Piccadilly line, though, runs right through Green Park and Piccadilly Circus – which has become prime private equity territory over the last thirty years. As the gentlemen’s clubs of St James have moved out, the venture capitalists have moved in.

“Perhaps it’s fitting that Piccadilly line is home to the capital’s richest commuters now. During the war, the British Museum stored some of its most treasured antiquities – including the Elgin Marbles – into a disused spur of the Piccadilly line . The capital’s wealth is clearly very at home there.”

“It’s not all bad on the Northern Line though. Bank might have been voted the “Most Disliked” tube station in London – and Kennington might be haunted – but in terms of hard cash, the Northern Line is anything but The Misery Line”

Despite connecting Moorgate and Liverpool Street with the rest of London, the average salary of commuters on the Hammersmith & City Line is just £35,250.

The Hammersmith & City line is not the only sub-surface line that moves less wealthy commuters.  Commuters on the District, Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines are paid, on average, 20 per cent less than those on the deep-level lines.

Mark Bull said, “Sub-surface commuters may luxuriate in spacious air-conditioned coaches, but when it comes to comparing pay-packets between the deep level lines and their subsurface equivalents, it’s a case of mind the gap.  While the deep level lines are known for their punishing journeys, overcrowding, and cramped conditions, the extra cash commuters are pocketing should help ease the pain.”
While very few of London’s tube commuters spend the majority of their commute on the Waterloo & City line, those that do are technically speaking the wealthiest of all – average salaries on the Waterloo & City line are £81,250.
Career Choices Reflected in Tube Lines Most Travelled
The Northern line is the most used line by a variety of professions, from Customer Services and Leisure and Hospitality workers to corporate commuters in IT and Professional Services, some professions are more prevalent on certain tube lines than others.

Mark Bull said: “Tube commuters are notorious for trying to create the illusion of their own private space, despite packed cars and it’s rare passengers glance up from their smart phones, iPods or newspapers with very few words spoken on a typical journey – if at all.  On certain lines, if tube travellers did strike up a conversation they might just find that they have more in common with the person standing next to them than they might think.  In fact, in many cases they could be heading to the same employer – which in some cases may explain the radio silence!”

AT THE CORCORAN – PART THREE: Salon Doré

Victoria here.  The Corcoran lions guard the doors of the gallery, in Washington, D. C., behind which are many treasures, including the Salon Doré, or Gilded Room, an excellent example of French 18th century décor.

I visited with author Diane Gaston, a long-time friend and fellow traveler to England and elsewhere in search of Georgian/Regency-era delights.  Diane was as gob-smacked by the beauty of the Salon Doré as I was and we both snapped picture after picture.  She was much faster at blogging about  our visit than I was.  Click here for her post.

Salon Doré at the Corcoran Gallery of Art
This installation is the third for the sumptuous ceilings and paneling.  The room was created in 1770 as a wedding gift to his bride by Pierre Gaspard Marie Grimod d’Orsay (1748-1809). The artist was Jean-François-Thérèse Chalgrin (1734-1811).  Some early descriptions of the room say it was fashioned for the wedding ceremony itself.
 
In the early 20th century, D’Orsay’s mansion, the building now known as Hôtel de Clarmont (68 rue de Varenne, Faubourg Saint-Germain, Paris), was stripped of the Chalgrin work and it was acquired by American mining millionaire and industrialist (aka robber baron) and Montana Senator William A. Clark (1839-1925).  Clark installed the room in his Fifth Avenue, NYC, mansion about 1904.  He was a benefactor of the Corcoran in its early years, and the fittings of the Salon Doré  were moved to the gallery in 1926.
Count d’Orsay and his wife, the former Marie-Louise-Albertine-Amélie, Princess de Croÿ-Molenbais, had one son who in turn fathered Alfred Guillaume Gabriel, Count d’Orsay (1801-1852) , a famous dandy who was well known in England in the 19th century, friend of the famous and infamous, such as Lord Byron, Benjamin Disraeli, and Edward Bulwer-Lytton. Read about the Duke of Welllington and Count Dorsay  here.
Decorative Panels

The Corcoran’s Salon Doré is one of the finest examples of French Rococo style from the reign of Louis Quinze (XV).  Another such gilded salon from Paris can be found in San Francisco’s Legion of Honor Museum. Read more about it here.


Detail of paneling: Corcoran’s Salon Doré




Gilded corner tables (encoignures) by Jean-François-Thérèse Chalgrin
(French, 1734-1811)
The four corner tables, along with most of the other furniture from the original room, were confiscated and dispersed during the French Revolution.  Though the other pieces are still lost the Corcoran acquired the four corner tables just a few years ago, in 2008, and placed them in their original positions in the Salon Doré.

Ceiling Details are not the originals but were created for the museum installation

Clock of the Vestals
The Case was made by Pierre-Philippe Thomire (French 1751-1843) bout 1789. The clock was created by Robert Robin, (French 1742-99), signed on the dial Robin/Hger Du Roi (clockmaker to the King).  The media are gilded, patinated, and  painted bronze, Sevrès porcelain, enamel on copper, and marble.        
             

From the Corcoran’s website: The Clock of the Vestals marked the passing of the hours in Queen Marie-Antoinette’s boudoir, or private sitting room, in the Tuileries Palace in Paris, adjacent to the Palais du Louvre. The  royal family was forced to move there in October 1789 after a mob of Parisians attacked the palace at Versailles, the official residence of the king for over 100 years.  In the Tuileries the  king and queen held court in gilded splendor but were state prisoners nonetheless.   Their last unhappy days together were passed in this palace before they were permanently separated in the mean quarters where they awaited their executions in 1793…The scene on the clock may depict the moment when the vestals, warned of the approach of the Gauls (c. 389), took the sacred fire and vessels from the temple and fled from Rome to Caere, a nearby city…At least sixteen versions of the Clock of the Vestals are known, each having some variation in materials and secondary elements.  The clock in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, dated 1788, is closest in appearance to the Corcoran clock.”

Paneled Doors of the Salon Doré



From the Corcoran Gallery’s website: “The Salon Doré as we know it today is the product of these two great patrons of the arts, the French Count d’Orsay and the Francophile Senator Clark. Even though one was an 18th-century Frenchman born to wealthand privilege and the other was a 19th-century self-made American industrialist, they are linked across the ages as passionate collectors of the antique and the Old World who at the same time used art and architecture to foster their social ambitions.”


The Corcoran’s Staircase

Other Salon Dorés can be found in palaces, mansions, and museums. Another I have enjoyed visiting was recently re-furbished at the Palace of the Legion of Honor, part of San Francisco’s Fine Arts Museums.  Learn about it here.

 

 


Salon Doré. from the Hôtel de La Trémoille, Paris
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco