Sculpture Victorious at Tate Britain

It was a nice day, but chilly, so with things to do in town I decided to reward myself first with a walk through Pimlico to the Tate to see an exhibition I wanted to see, Sculpture Victorious.

 I like sculpture as an art form. This exhibition hasn't had good reviews, but this is largely due to the continuing bias against the Victorians. Essentially its a fashion thing, and modern art critics can't cope with Victorian art because its so well executed. And attractive. And politically incorrect. Instead of being produced by someone who represents diversity and can't paint draw or model, but has an idea, here are artists, almost all white and male, who are incredibly skilled craftsmen who can use a range of materials to produce strikingly lifelike images. Not a pickled sheep in sight. 

So here is a sample, in bronze...

 in silver...

 Minton porcelain

 

bronze and marble...

 this statue from the House of Lords (one of the barons who forced King John to sign the Magna Carta) is in zinc

 marbles of Queen Victoria

 This marble of a veiled lady is well just showing off

This huge bronze (inlaid with jewels, enamel and mother-of-pearl) sculpture of Queen Elizabeth and King Philip of Spain playing chess with their respective fleets is just stunning.

This wooden piece is a tour de force to rival anything by Grinling Gibbons.

And this is painted cast iron.

Tate Britain has a wonderful collection of British Art now very well displayed in the modernised galleries

But without losing its Victorian grandeur.

As I say, it was one of those nice Spring days, with bright blue skies, but dark clouds just threatening. Making  for a little drama in photos.