I was so pleased to visit the wonderful Wallace Collection in Manchester Square, London, yesterday. My first visit in a long time. A peaceful calm haven, right in the middle of the city. I especially wanted to see The Lady with a Fan by Diego Velazquez. I love every inch of this painting, the position of the figure on the canvas slightly to one side, and the way the shape and mass of the sitter creates a perfect balance with the background space. Velazquez's colours are elegant and low key, mainly browns, blacks, silvery whites and greys. The beautifully painted and perfectly positioned blue ribbon on the rosary, provides a note of contrast.
The shape of the opened fan is echoed in the sweep and curve of the brown dress and at the top of the silvery glove gently holding the black shawl. The beautiful and mysterious face is superbly painted, a living breathing human being being with thoughts and feelings. There is so much humanity in the painting and I find it so moving.
Well worth a visit.
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