If one mentions a painted ceiling, it is likely that most people would think of the sistine chapel in Vatican City. However Britain itself is no slouch when it comes to these larger than life artistic treasures.
I could barely contain my excitement because RIGHT NOW a once in a 70 year opportunity is currently presenting itself at the Painted Hall of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. This is Britain's largest painted ceiling.
Newsflash: The ceiling itself is being conserved and restored (this happens about every 50-70 years) and in order to do so they have erected large scaffolding to allow this work to take place.
This means that they have allowed a select few of the general public to take to the scaffolding and experience the painted hall up close.
Alongside the group scaling the scaffolding is an expert guide (in this case a young lady named Francesca) who really "painted the scene" so to speak upon how the ceiling was created (and most importantly all the politics and intrigue that surrounded its commission and creation),its symbolism and the work required to keep it looking good for future generations.
I am currently reading a Dan Brown book and I was struck with how much symbology is embedded into this art work by the painter Thornhill and how Dan Brown could easily integrate this restoration into any storyline involving Dr Robert Langdon !
My father is visiting from Australia, and I also have some relatives who live in the South East. So we all converged together to don some hi-vis jackets and take the tour on a lovely Sunday afternoon.
Please note that this art is designed to be viewed from afar (ie from the floor of the great hall), so the perspective of the painting is not easy to discern from close up and indeed it is almost impossible to photograph up close, especially as the lighting is kept to a minimum to preserve the art.
This is my way of apologising that the photograph are a bit dim and they often lack a central focus.
If anyone has any clues on how to photograph large art up close please do provide me with some hints and tips.
If you are interested in visiting then don't hesitate, as this opportunity will finish soon for another 70 years and we will all be a bit long in the tooth by then !
Please see the following link to buy tickets; https://www.ornc.org/painted-hall-ceiling-tours-tickets