Spanish King Felipe showing courage and accountability

V. shocked to see protesters and flood survivors throwing mud & rocks at King Felipe VI.

They shouted insults at him when he visited their devastated town. V. sad & tragic.

But it’s also shameful of these Spaniards to behave like this.

The people should be furious with the president of the Valencian government (Mazón) and the National President (Pedro Sánchez). It seems the regional government was informed of the flooding danger in the early morning, but refused to act until the flooding had already been going for a while. And ... then Mazón denies help from firefighters and rescue teams from other parts of Spain. He also refuses to call in the Army. Incredible incompetence. State of emergency should have been declared so the military could act much quicker and at full force. It’s been 5 days with little aid & only 1200 military for a flooding that affected 450k citizens.

The King came to speak to the people — while the other two hid in their armored cars.

Respect the king.

Spain is a constitutional monarchy. The King - as Head of State - has no actual power. He can only seek to sway the government. 

And yet, he actually faced people ... so he genuinely cares.

November 5 US election bet - Harris will win

I think Harris is going to win.

I think it seems to lean her way, women will turn out for her, and abortion is a big issue.

Trump’s polling bumped up briefly following the assassination attempt, but that didn’t translate into any sustained enthusiasm. Moreover, from what I’ve seen, the number of Republicans who will definitely vote for him has declined over the last two months. This is because people who like Trump tend to love him — but right-leaning voters (that don’t love him) tend to be turned off by him. His path to victory relies on a surge of Republican turnout across the board; and I don't think he can generate it.

Perhaps even more importantly, I think the January 6th insurrection was a serious scandal which left many voters with existential worries concerning Trump being in power again. Its aftermath has motivated voters against him & caused many more moderate right-leaning voters to sit this election out.

Harris is dreadful ... Trump is terrible.

What a choice!

Kemi Badenoch - the new leader of the Conservative Party

The leader of HM Official Opposition has been elected.

The Tories have their 4th woman leading them.

Culture wars

On the first issue, the culture wars seep into the fabric of our nation. I think patriotic pride (in our nation, our imperial history, our Royal Family) along with the need for a strong defence and secure borders are the foundations of Conservatism. It’s about being proud of the journey and progression of our small island, and the number of times we lead the way for other nations around the world.

Our culture defines our broader shared system of values. Their defence should be the basis for uniting the Right against the endless left-wing “identity politics” rhetoric and its stranglehold over the public sector. Britain has an incredible history. We shaped the world. There is no squeaky-clean spotless national history. But, if one adopts a measured perspective of both good and bad, I think we should be proud as a force for good in the world. 

Immigration

On immigration, the huge levels of immigration really worry me. A shared identity and values and the feeling that we’re looking out for each other’s interests is important. For some time, I’ve had the feeling we’re unravelling into a miscellany of various tribal interests.

We’ve also rarely had a sensible conversation on the issue — and that’s because of the “omg that’s racist!” crowd derailing its every opportunity.

I preferred Jenrick on this issue. I like his tougher approach to the huge mass immigration problem, including withdrawing from the Convention on Human Rights, which was a centrepiece of his leadership campaign. He was a breath of fresh air. Mrs Badenoch served in senior positions in two v. unconservative governments. 

I’m not sure whether she can deal with the massive immigration problem.

And that alone gives Reform all the space it needs to occupy the centre-right.

Photo: Staircase

Photo: Under the Dome of the National Gallery

“The Family of Darius before Alexander” by Paolo Veronese

This painting is an incredible masterpiece.

It depicts the mother of Darius - the Persian King - pleading with their conqueror Alexander the Great for mercy.

After the death of Titian, Tintoretto and “Paolo Caliari” succeeded him as the preeminent painters of Venice. Paolo was known as “Veronese” as he was born in the city of Verona. I have been to Venice and their works adorn the churches, palaces, villas. But Veronese’s vast frescos and canvas really engraved on the European imagination a vision of Venice shimmering with pearls and precious stuffs.

Firstly, it is huge. Expansive.

Secondly, Veronese weaves such rich & saturated hues against some rather ghostly shadows. It’s so dramatic and engrossing. We are almost implicated in the Queen Mother’s desperate beseeching.

The dresses and capes (à la Venetian doges), and operatic Roman dress illustrate the brilliance and sheer magnanimity of Alexander the Great.

Alexander the Great spared the Queen Mother, wife and children.

Alexander’s gesture towards the fellow near him (“Hephaestion”) arises from the Queen Mother, Sisygambis, prostrating herself in front of Hephaestion mistaking him for Alexander. Alexander’s negligent gesture betokens a humility 

Details:

 

The Roman dress of Alexander the Great, and his curly hair.

The earnest look on the Queen Mother's face.

 

As ever, Veronese includes a charming canine against a little boy.

Ghostly horses against Roman pillars.

 

Love the primate as an exotic oriental detail.

Those little dogs seem terrified, as the boy himself being consoled.

Paolo Veronese masterpieces at the National Gallery

Veronese is a personal favourite of the High Renaissance. He doesn’t get the praise I think he deserves, and I think he’s totally arresting and compelling.

His highly stylised compositions with captivating use of colours and decorative details & qualities make for a glorious feast on the eyes. Also, his compositions are enormous. They can feel a little disarming.

He can capture a dramatic historical/classical moment, or make the painting move us beyond the mere “story” it reflects.

His illusionistic tricks wonderfully play with space, architectural detail, and light.

To do justice to Veronese, I have decided to split his works among a number of blog posts.

✲✲✲

The Adoration of the Magi

Oh my gosh... Really love it.

There’s just so much going on here..., but the eye is drawn towards a shaft of light illuminating the baby Christ. The three Magi (in such startlingly resplendent & opulent robes and garments) kneeling in supplication & in adoration.

The stable in, and over, Roman ruins. A nod to the Christian triumph over the pagan.

I am struck by the sheer sumptuousness of the garments (including the Madonna).

Gorgeous, rich ... angelic.

Angel heads, with bird-like wings, flying past a pagan ram’s 

head (which has shrubs growing out of it).

An observant dog at the corner is a recurring theme.

The roman numerals MDLXXIII refers to the year of the painting.

✲✲✲

The Consecration of Saint Nicholas

This is an old copy from an earlier post. This version wasn’t very good. I will update it.

As I wrote before:

This depicts the election of a new Bishop. One received a vision of a young-man called Nicholas kneeling. The figures interact in a vista which is completely unrealistic; curtains on one side and an elegant classic column on the other. A young Veronese in the background by the Bishop? And a strange twisted figure - almost falling - in the angel bearing the mitre and crosier.

Overall, I like the surreal claustrophobia of the scene, the expression of horror and shock carved on the body of the Bishop as he seems to recoil and advance at the same.

✲✲✲

The Conversion of Mary Magdalene

The colours and lighting/shadows against the architectural background is incredible. 

Mary Magdalene is shown here - fallen to her knees - overcome at the vision/words of Christ.

So beautiful, and the flooring is terrific.

The symmetry in the colours of Christ & Mary Magdalene is contrasted by their expressions.

Stoicism against “overwroughtness” ... I am not sure what Mary’s face and posture indicate,

but she seems distraught.

Note: her jewellery broken and slipping of her neck.

✲✲✲

The Dream of Saint Helena

Love it.

St Helena is the mother of Christian emperor Constantine. She is said to have the vision of the Cross on which Christ was crucified. 

From my old note:

St Helena is painted in such opulent colours of Venetian golds, oranges and rouges; and in soft delicate fineness. The green shoulder wrap, and the subtle red brushstrokes towards the bottom of her dress. The brushwork creates such incredible folds in her garments. Her lovely hair, dainty hands, beautiful face and carefree expression make this quite an intimate sensual painting. St Helena is glamorous and irresistible.

I think I like what I wrote.

I also notice how St Helena’s foot is resting against some furniture or projection of the wall. It feels rather like a “modern” depiction of a woman.

What a beautiful face, slightly bewitching ...

and there’s something engaging in the way she rests her head in her hand.

Also, the brushstrokes of luminescent whites and yellows create such

luxurious and regal garments.

✲✲✲

Portrait of a Gentleman of the Soranzo Family

Tremendous painting which was recently acquired by the gallery (2022).

This, it seems, is a rare example of Veronese’s full length head-to-toe portraits.

According to the NG:

Dressed in sumptuous black satin trimmed with ermine and poised against a backdrop of classical column and shimmering green drapery, this full-length portrait conveys the status of the sitter. He is thought to be a member of the Soranzo, one of Venice’s leading noble families, for whom Veronese worked throughout his career.

For me, I love the combination of the elegant and sumptuous - but dolorous use of colours, rather austere deportment, and his impassive and distant gaze to convey an aloof reserve and dignity. An “inherent” nobility and worth.

Terrific.

Smile 2 (2024) - horror film review

Wow!

I’ve just returned home from seeing the new horror film “Smile 2” today with my friend Karen.

I saw it at the Leicester Square Odeon theatre. Managed to bag a 2 tickets for £15.

And - boy oh boy! - it’s intense, v. scary and brutal.  

It’s a sequel to the 2022’s “Smile” film which, in my view, takes it to a whole new level of scare/horror with the terrific performance of Naomi Scott as “Skye Riley” (the central character) and the noticeable raising of the stakes. 

The fact that, in the film, Skye has the persona of a world famous pop star adds to the stress and tension which comes from her day-to-day “star” lifestyle and its demands. Since she has a well-developed character, it makes her turmoil so “real”. (I couldn’t really watch the teleprompter scene).  

It makes her unfolding even more torturous. The stakes seem much higher in this film due to (1) the existence of “Morris” (Peter Jackson) who has a plan to work with Skye and destroy the demon in time, while (2) having to please her legion fans, managers, mother, and friends. (For reference, I think her first interaction with Morris was real, but she missed her opportunity.)

The film’s depiction of the “pop star” reality creates a beautiful esthetic. Her outfits, hairstyle, and amazingly choreographed dancing are gorgeous.

There is a v. interesting insight into the demonic lore of the entity. It mixes the supernatural with biology as an allegory on trauma. To me, it seems as though this demon behaves like a virus. Skye is merely a “host” for this malignant entity to “use”; and then, after use, it spreads to the next person killing the earlier host. Its true origins though remain mysterious. 

Like the original film, the demon seems to enjoy mentally torturing the victim. It creates elaborate and complicated delusions which forces the viewer to question what was reality as opposed to illusion. This confusion and chaos combined with a veritable rollercoaster-ride of jump scares makes for a film you can’t look away from ... while also having to cover your eyes.

There is an escalating horror and so much gore. I had to look away often. And the ending scene will leave jaws on the floor. When horror films seem to be more of a miss thesedays, this film is a very strong hit. 

I definitely recommend it for any horror nerds.

Great viewing for Halloween! 

Rating: 4.5 ★★★★★

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar finally killed

Such important news today.

The IDF killed Yahya Sinwar.

This piece of trash was evil incarnate and utterly irredeemable. 

The man who orchestrated the mass killings, rape and kidnappings of October 7 — and Hamas’ human shield strategy — finally got what he deserved.

We also shouldn’t forget that, in 1989, he was sentenced to several life sentences - not because he murdered Israelis - but because he slaughtered Palestinians.

That’s why he was honoured with the epithet of “The Butcher of Khan Younis” against Palestinians merely suspected of passing information to Israel. “According to Israeli officials, he later confessed to punishing a suspected informer by getting the man’s brother to bury him alive, finishing the job using a spoon instead of a spade.”

As I write this post, I’m thinking of all the people who died because of him — Israelis and Palestinians.

If you’d like to know who cared the very least about Gazan civilian lives, it was Sinwar. 

Good riddance.

I hope his death causes Hamas to lay down their arms, hand over the hostages and surrender.