London Retrospective 3: Kenwood House

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London diary: Sunday 9 March

Continuing the recap of my recent London sojourn, I revisit some much loved works at another favourite haunt: Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath. 

Apologies for the reflections on the paintings by William Larkin (Images 1-6) which, despite my best efforts, were almost impossible to avoid. 

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My companion Bev Murray and I overheard one of the guides telling a visitor that The Guitar Player by Johannes Vermeer (Image 7 below) is Sir Paul McCartney’s favourite painting. Apparently he lives nearby and calls in especially to see it. 

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Pictured above:

1-6: Portraits by Jacobean artist William Larkin.

7 The Guitar Player, 1672, Johannes Vermeer

8 Portrait of the Artist, 1669, Rembrandt van Rijn

9 Portrait of a Lady, 1680, Ferdinand Bol

(Photo credit Image 1: Bev Murray)

A visit to Kenwood House

 

Some old favourites from the collection of Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath, a short distance away from where I’m staying. The portrait by Bol was originally attributed to Rembrandt, his former master. 

Pictured top: 

Rembrandt van Rijn, Self-Portrait with Two Circles, 1665–1669;

Pictured below:
Ferdinand Bol, Portrait of an Unknown Woman, c. 1644;

Johannes Vermeer, The Guitar Player, c. 1672;

Installation view of Portrait of an Unknown Woman. Some of the finest gems from the permanent collection are on display in this room, including works by Anthony Van Dyck, Joshua Reynolds and others.

The elegant library designed by Robert Adam, one of my favourite rooms in Kenwood House.