Saturday, 28 May 1955
Left in rain at 11 or so to visit the National Gallery. Some really nice paintings to be seen. Many early Renaissance, Raphael [Sanzio] looked particularly good in the originals, better than the reproductions we knew. Tiepolo's wonderful Trojan horses, lots of action. Other Venetian—Canaletto, very startling and impressive. Michelangelo's piece half-finished. Good Hogarths, Holbeins, Turners, one good Vander Weyden, Rembrandts, El Grecos. Took the no. 88 bus to the Tate. Better gallery, more modern works: English new and old. Good sculpture, notably Rodin, Malliol, Moore, Degas, Giacometti, Manzù, Epstein, Butler, and others. There was even a good full-length portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart. Couldn't find Max Beerbohm, but not bad considering our lack of time. Very well done gallery and an excellent restaurant!
Met Pat for tea at the Tate and took a bus to Knightsbridge to walk along "smart" antique shops but pretty much a letdown. Not too much taste visible in decor or merchandising. Antique prices as high as in the US in some categories.
Teddy Boy and victim, as drawn in my notebook with a ball point pen
Underground to Hyde Park Corner and back to New Yorker for dinner, but worse tonight. Other coffee shops nearby but no hot meals. Loafing Teddy Boys seem to be interested in doing nothing but ogling passersby. Pat says they dress up in Edwardian style clothes and bust up dances and social gatherings.