Tuesday 11 May 2010

Back in the UK

Well, we made it to New York and back again safely while the Eyjafjallajokul volcano was taking a little break from disrupting North Atlantic and European airspace. I don’t like flying very much at the best of times so I was glad that our flights were unaffected – hats off to the BA crews who navigated their way around the “plume of doom”.

New York was great (in fact a helluva’ town) and we had a brilliant, if rather exhausting time. I was there for half a day back in 1976 but we had a full four days on this trip and were able to visit many of the sights and drink in the atmosphere. Best thing was probably the view downtown from the top of the Rockefellor Centre and of course getting to see Trump Tower for real – although the great man didn’t appear to be in residence.

I also went into the Metropolitan Museum of Art where I took this picture of a painting depicting Napoleon at the battle of Friedland. I’m not sure who the artist was but the detail is stunning. However, I have to report that I’ve still not made any progress on the other type of painting, namely Hinton Hunts but I hope to remedy that soon.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Welcome back!

Matt

Stryker said...

Thanks to Don & Jack who both emailed to tell me that the artist is Ernest Meissonier.

Rafael Pardo said...

Hi
Congratulations for your good fly!
And yes, it's a Meissonier paint, but your picture don't show the trumpeter at right....
Rafa

Stryker said...

Well spotted Rafa - I took the picture at a bit of an angle rather fast (because I didn't really believe it was ok to take a photo in the gallery!) and so I've had to crop it quite a bit.

Ian

Lee said...

Welcome back and glad you had a good trip.

When are you going to start painting again? :-)

Lee.

Stryker said...

Lee, I wish I knew! I hope it's soon though...

Ian

Rafael Pardo said...

Ian
I understand your difficulties. I astill remember to find a paint of Meissonier at the 'Casa of Salvador Dali' (Figueres, Spain). It was a miniature about 1814 and I resulted so surprised that I forgotten to take a shot of it!
Regards
Rafa

lewisgunner said...

Yes its a lovely puicture. I used to have it on my office wall at work. I would point out to managers that it expressed perfectly the role of a director. he sets the objectives, makes the plan and then waves on the middle management whilst they lead the charge to glory. Of course he also decides when to send in the reserves and who gets the medals.
Ah, such pomp!!

Roy

Stryker said...

Ah, good analogy Roy - although I don't think life on St Helena was a particularly great severance deal for the great man in question!

lewisgunner said...

You're quite right Ian. There comes a time when its best to settle for a comfortable life on Elba!!
Roy