We’ve been getting educated today.

We went to a talk at  the Discovery Centre, on Spanish painting and sculpture, by  Dalila Castelijn. And very good it was too. She concentrated on 15th – 17th century art, and as well as looking at the greats like Velasquez and El Greco, she also introduced us to some lesser known artists.

Castelijn was very good at explaining the national and international background to the work, and its social history, so we were able to put it in context, and understand why pieces were made the way they were. We had chosen to go because we didn’t know much about the subject – I think we know a lot more now, and can look at such paintings with a new eye. There are, apparently, a lot of Spanish paintings at Kingston Lacy, so I think we may be paying it another visit soon.

But concentrating for three hours was blooming hard work!

So here is a relaxing picture, of a tiny garden behind the Cathedral, which I’m sure I’ve mentioned before. Taken on one of the few sunny days this year.