Victoria And Albert Museum, 2021

We discovered the V&A late in our London visits, 2009 maybe, but vowed to place it on the "must return" list for future visits. We went back yet again on August 4th and did the sculpture, Japan, China and Korea, church altarpieces, and then the plaster copies halls, which, for some bizarre reason, always fascinate. The walk from the bus stop to the museum was nearly as interesting.

Red Kensington

Harrod's, 1911

"Find" of the day: art nouveau Michelin tire store; increible!

Of course, it's a restaurant now; must return to this place
for closer examination!

Resting rock climber (we'd been watching the Olympics)

Old main entrance to the V&A

Gracie Allen, Princess Grace, and Grace de Coup
(running gag)

Warts and all

McKay kimono

Resting warrior

The very famous Keto Buddha

Now in the plaster copies hall, St. George slaying the lizard

Copies of the tombs of Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and
and son Richard; originals are at the Abbe de Fontveraud

Roman columns, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius (?);
originally the point of the plaster copies was so
the masses could see the wonders of the world, part of
Albert's educational and social vision; as it happened,
some things destroyed in the world wars survive
only here; apart from those noble thoughts, I
think they fascinate us simply because they prompt
so many memories of past travels...and require no
new learning

Pisano's pulpit, Pisa

Ghiberti's door to the Baptistry, Florence

Himself

Horny Moses, from the church of St. Peter in
Vincula, Rome

High up on a wall, Rafael's School of Athens, Vatican; actually
larger than the original, I thought

Headed back home, museumed-out; the beautiful Russell Hotel,
Russell Square, near our flat; in great light