The genius of Steve Bell

Steve Bell is undoubtedly the finest cartoonist working for the Guardian/Observer group. The Guardian has indulged him as he learned to draw and matured as an artist and for this one is truly grateful. His work seems to fit best with the  tradition of clear, hardhitting imagery. I would hazard a guess that the improvement in Martin Rowson's work owes something to Bell's influence.

Today's cartoon is not one of his best. 

It is a parody of Holman Hunt's  The Scapegoat.

 It shows Speaker Martin as the latest outcast, stumbling in his robes and adjacent to the head of our lamentable Prime Minister. There is the traditional, "apologies to...",  inscribed at the side. 

Cartoonists probably don't do their best work when there is an "apologies to..."situation. They are taking someone else's symbolism and bending it to their own theme and there is an inevitable collision between the original symbolism and the adaptation-which can of course be interesting in itself. The suggestion here is that the Speaker is literally a scapegoat and indeed you could make out a case for this. How many of those turning on him are without sin? His performance yesterday was indeed pathetic. And who would want the support of Sir Stuart Bell?  

When I say that Martin Rowson's work has improved recently I mean to say that it is often clearer and more direct than it used to be. But there is still too much of the more complicated symbolism and lurid, heavy handed clumsiness. He isn't very good with likenesses either.

Brinkburn Priory

It was thirty years ago that we first visited Brinkburn, just after it was opened after being taken into the care of English Heritage. As a building it is worth a visit: it is also enjoyable because of its secluded site. You approach it down a gently sloping track which yesterday abounded in primroses and speedwell. You are lead down into the valley where the Coquet runs around the site. Brinkburn is also worth a visit because of its mature trees, many grow high on the steep banks on the opposite bank of the river. In winter this situation would have reduced the already  small amount of sunlight available.

What do you see when you get there?  You see the 12th century Priory and the much later house partly built from monastic outbuildings and sited over the ranges between the church and the river. The house has a large extension by Dobson. You can enter  and see the dilapidation .

The church itself is empty of most of the usual church furniture and this helps to emphasize the severity of the building.The north door is well worth a look for its late Norman details. Perhaps the most interesting object inside the church is the tombstone of Prior William who died in 1484. I did not photograph inside the church as a small choir were practicing there.

The weather was extraordinary and this would be an excellent  spot for a picnic or a  spot for children to play. I am not surprised that someone thought of holding a music festival here. Artists wishing to redo the Turner view would definitely have a problem due to the growth of trees since his time and difficulty in getting to his viewpoint.