Kingston Lacy

We visited Kingston Lacy today.  We got there early as it is very popular and booked a spot to visit the house mid-morning.  We then had a relaxing cup of coffee while we waited.

The house was quite interesting and has some ornate ceilings.  I particularly liked my featured painting as her face looked quite modern I thought.  Addition:  I have now seen a BBC programme which featured Kingston Lacey and the removal of the painting last year for loan to an exhibition!  The painting is by the 17th century Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens, who revolutionised portrait painting in Europe, bringing a dynamism never seen before. The featured lady is Marchesa Maria Serra Pallavicino of the Genoese nobility and was apparently painted in 1606 on the occasion of her marriage to Nicolo Pallavicino, an influential banker. 

I most enjoyed looking at a collection of Egyptian artefacts that the owner had ‘acquired’!  Some amazing stone tablets and figures.  

We had sunshine for a walk around the grounds.  There were huge trees and azaleas - and also a Japanese garden that you weren’t allowed in as it was ‘fragile’ - whatever that meant!!  It didn’t look very good anyway.  So grateful for the good weather we have had for the past few days as the forecast was not good.  It is pouring with rain this evening.