NATIONAL GALLERY VISIT, LONDON IN SEPTEMBER 2010 - CARAVEGGIOS

CLAIRE FORD WILLIE GAVE A TALK ABOUT CARAVEGGIO  ON 14 SEPTEMBER

I heard an interesting talk about Caraveggio recently, at the Richmond Art Society in Richmond on Thames, Surrey. 
The lecturer, Claire Ford Willie,  talked about the chiaroscuro in his later works and the ideas she talked about stimulated me to look at my latest painting, of rugby players' legs, with a lot of darks and bright sunny patches. 
Will put up image when it is nearer completion.
I went to the National Gallery today to look again at the Caraveggios there, to refresh my mind.
It is familiar work but strong and dramatic to such an extent that the paintings are the focus in this gallery - Room 32 in the Gallery.
A very dramatic and exciting talk was going on before the painting of Supper at Emmaus, where a Japanese gentleman was giving a lengthy mini-lecture to a group of Japanese visitors.
All his group were quietly rapt in attention.  He was so animated that other people in the gallery were watching and smiling in appreciation, though obviously not understanding a word of it! 
I am sure his enthusiasm will make those Japanese tourists remember Caraveggio.
National Gallery, Supper at Emmaus painting
Outside, in the rainy afternoon, the usual groups of touritst, students and general lingerers blocked the top of the steps overlooking Trafalgar Square, gloomy and grey, except for the umbrellas.