John Virtue at the National Gallery

I set off for London today with the intention of seeing the Caravaggio exhibition at the National Gallery. Unfortunately by the time I got there the queue was huge and I wasn’t feeling too well so I decided not to queue but to go and look at a less fashionable exhibition instead. Just as well I think, as I would probably only have got a ticket for some time this evening, if at all. I ended up looking at a superb room or two of paintings by John Virtue who paints huge black and white canvasses of London scenes. There was a very good video to go with it which I sat down and watched for twenty minutes which not only showed him doing the painting but also him talking about some of the other paintings in the National Gallery which have influenced him. So, feeling rather better by this point I went to look at a few Turner and Constable paintings as well. As I say, not the headline act, but no wait, no crowds and still most enjoyable. Before I left I also had the chance to see the Westminster Retable (England’s Oldest Altarpiece) which is also worth seeing if you’re there.