Note from Lis: A few details wrong there. I WAS interested in the National Portrait Gallery and I was the one who suggested we go there after lunch. (Gots to get me my credit where it is due.)<\/p>\n
We went first to the Tudor room, which I was interested in because I’ve recently read Wolf Hall<\/a> and Bring Up the Bodies<\/a>, and listened to several podcasts about the Tudors on The History Chicks<\/a>, and we’re watching Wolf Hall<\/a> right now on PBS. I was struck by how much the portrait of Thomas Cromwell<\/a> looks like Tony Soprano, and by how not beautiful Anne Boleyn<\/a> was – I thought the woman who captivated Henry VIII for years, to the point of overthrowing the Catholic Church, would be more stunning. I guess that just means her talents and wiles in other areas were even more impressive than I’d thought.<\/p>\n Later, we were in the 20th century room, and I came across a portrait of Princess Diana<\/a>. I’d been seeing “No photography” signs all about, and was being respectful, but I’ve always had a soft spot for Diana, and so couldn’t resist – I pulled out my phone and took a surreptitious, blurry snap of the portrait (if you look closely, you can see my reflection in the glass, and my stealth, keep-the-phone-low pose). Then I turned around and noticed, right across from Diana, this amazing portrait of Queen Elizabeth<\/a> in an intimidating, regal posture and a spectacular royal red cloak – surreptitious snap here, too. Later, I learned that the “no photos” rules only apply to specified portraits – ones with copyright issues – and so I probably could have taken legit, and thus better, photos. Oh well – I kind of liked feeling transgressive…<\/p>\n The juxtaposition of these portraits, with the queen tall and stately, towering over and looking down on a soft-focus, vulnerable Diana – it was really something. I wonder if they staged it that way on purpose.<\/p>\n There were many, many great paintings in the portrait gallery – so fun to see portraits of all these historical figures that I’ve read and heard so much about. My other two favorites were this great one of Margaret Thatcher<\/a> that looked a lot like an old Soviet-era propaganda poster (ah, irony), and a sweet tableau of George VI, Queen Elizabeth (Queen Mum), Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) and Princess Margaret<\/a> at home.<\/p>\n![\"1430440828876\"](\"http:\/\/travelwithus.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/1430440828876-182x300.jpg\")
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