This group portrait by Rembrandt hangs in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. It has a connection with the Savile Club.
Emma Beal is exhibiting two of her drawings in the bar at the Savile. They are so detailed that at first I thought they were photographs. Both her pictures are inspired by Rembrandt’s group portraits.
Here are her versions of these pictures. At first sight I didn’t like them but on re-visiting the club and sedated by a large cigar and copious glasses of port I rather took to them.
They are on loan to the Savile for a few months. I imagine that you could have them on your walls after that. Next week I am a guest at the Garrick where I’m looking forward to admiring their pictures, especially the Zoffanys amassed with Winnie the Pooh money, or should that be honey?
The Garrick, the Savile, the Chelsea Arts Club and Brooks’s all have good pictures. No other London club does, that I am aware of. In New York the Knickerbocker, when I last visited, had a deplorable series of modern oils of Brooklyn Bridge in the dining room. One member was so appalled that he only ate in the ladies’ dining room to avoid seeing them.
I enjoyed this so much on Tuesday that I thought I’d give it another spin.
Hi Christopher,
There is one Club you have omitted to mention which has a Stubbs, a Munnings and a Lawrence, all in the same room, albeit that they are, I believe, all on loan from different members. Privacy and security reasons prevent me from naming the Club……..
James, can guests see these pictures? If so I have been remiss in not clocking them. Anyway your point is taken and mum’s the word.
Christopher