The Orchard, 1890, tapestry by William Morris, Victoria-and-Albert Museum, London

« Botticelli reimagined » is a very promising title and yet I did not expect much before entering the show at the V and A of the Italian master and his followers. The first rooms dedicated to 20 th century admirers like Dolce et Gabbana, Cindy Sherman or Andy Warhol, were fun but somewhat disappointing. Except for the beach pictures by Rineke Dijkstra, whose videos I also admire, there were too many loud colors maybe on the black walls and a sad feeling of being on Oxford Street rather than at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti, ‘La Ghirlandata’, 1873. London, Guildhall Library

The second set of rooms, painted in light blue, contrasted brilliantly and are dedicated to 19 th century artists. And this is where my interest started rising. With Rossetti’s « La Ghirlandata » and « The orchard » by William Morris, I felt transported through British beauty and spent a long time in front of the huge tapestry. Botticelli’s influence was getting more interesting by the minute.

Portrait of Smeralda Bandinelli, 1470, Sandro Botticelli, Victoria and Albert Museum

In the third part of the exhibition came the master at last on slightly TOO white walls… But what a fascinating reunion of Botticelli paintings. We always think of the Primavera or the Birth of Venus which have influenced popular art and fashion more than any other artist’s. Here we can see many religious tondos (a wall with 8 of them is striking), among the fifty original works that came from Berlin and all around the world.

The Virgin and Child with two angels, 1490, Sandro Botticelli, Gemäldegalerie der Bildenden Künste, Vienna

The choice of inversed chronology for the exhibition is interesting , though it would not have been my choice. One wants to devote all of  one’s energy to the actual « Maestro » and the first part with David La Chapelle and Vic Muniz is really too loud. The exhibition is nevertheless a beauty. (sponsored by Société Générale, until July 3)

Rebirth of Venus by David LaChapelle, 2009

To relax from this esthaetical shock, I walked through the stunning diamond and emerald Indian jewelry show of the Al Thani collection. This Qatari family has acquired over the years, the most beautiful Indian treasures, and there are even some modern Cartier, Bhagat from Bombay and JAR pieces. The general colour is emerald, white diamond and rubis. It is really glittering ! (until April 10)
And a show of photographs by American Paul Strand 1890-1976, is opening this week (until July 3).