La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
As you probably already know, since arriving in Córdoba I’ve been fascinated by the art of Julio Romero de Torres (1874–1930). His focus was primarily on people, my favorite subject matter (for drawing). Here are portraits I saw at the museum dedicated to his art. I took some of the shots at odd angles to avoid glare. I don’t know about you, but the one above is my favorite.
The stress of Monday (the blackout) took a toll on us both. Exhausted, achey, and tired all day. No refrigerated food in the house and San Geraldo didn’t feel like going shopping. So, I hung the laundry, we went out for lunch at La Popina which is becoming another home for us. Exceptional local specialties freshly made, and a wonderful owner and staff. We then worked around the house, had siestas, folded laundry, took out the trash, including the packing material from the new water heater, used cat litter from the old cats, and the old safety glass from the terrace. That left us about a half hour to cool off before Diego and Mauricio came over to see the apartment and then walk over to Goiko Grill for dinner.
San Geraldo was supposed to cook (pulled pork, cole slaw, brownies), but he had planned to do so in advance Monday. He never could get out to shop and most of what was in the refrigerator had to be tossed. We’re thankful he wasn’t already mid-preparation when the power went out. Our new stovetop was delivered today and we’re waiting for the plumber to be available to install it. That was all supposed to have happened Monday. Our pharmacy was open until 9 Monday night with no power. In back, they worked with a camp light. Out front they could see well until the sun set. Everything is automated, but they worked with pen and paper the entire day. I was surprised to learn how many businesses remained open. What troopers.
Just as we were about to head out the door (well, not quite, I was still in the shower), the plumber from heaven, Manolo, arrived to install the new stovetop. I wasn’t expecting him, but I’m not complaining. SG went for coffee and I waited while Manolo did his quick and excellent work. And now, while Merchi does her magic, I’m off to La Popina for morning coffee and, probably, second breakfast.
Como probablemente ya sepan, desde que llegué a Córdoba me ha fascinado el arte de Julio Romero de Torres (1874-1930). Su enfoque se centraba principalmente en las personas, mi tema favorito (para dibujar). Aquí les dejo unos retratos que vi en el museo dedicado a su arte. Tomé algunas fotos desde ángulos inusuales para evitar el deslumbramiento. No sé de ti, pero la de arriba es mi favorita.
El estrés del lunes (el apagón) nos pasó factura a ambos. Agotados, doloridos y cansados todo el día. No había comida refrigerada en casa y en San Geraldo no apetecía ir de compras. Así que tendí la ropa y salimos a comer a La Popina, que se está convirtiendo en nuestro hogar. Especialidades locales excepcionales recién hechas, y un dueño y un personal maravillosos. Después, hicimos algunas tareas domésticas, echamos la siesta, doblamos la ropa, sacamos la basura, incluyendo el material de embalaje del nuevo calentador de agua, la arena usada de los gatos viejos y el viejo cristal de seguridad de la terraza. Eso nos dejó como media hora para refrescarnos antes de que Diego y Mauricio vinieran a ver el apartamento y luego caminaran hasta Goiko Grill para cenar.
Se suponía que San Geraldo cocinaría (cerdo desmenuzado, ensalada de col, brownies), pero lo había planeado con antelación el lunes. Nunca pudo salir a comprar y casi todo lo que había en el refrigerador tuvo que desecharse. Menos mal que no estaba ya en plena preparación cuando se fue la luz. Nos entregaron hoy la nueva estufa y estamos esperando a que el plomero esté disponible para instalarla. Todo eso debía haber sucedido el lunes. Nuestra farmacia estuvo abierta hasta las 21:00 del lunes sin luz. En la parte de atrás, trabajaban con una luz de campamento. En la parte de adelante podían ver bien hasta que se ponía el sol. Todo está automatizado, pero trabajaron con lápiz y papel todo el día. Me sorprendió saber cuántos negocios permanecieron abiertos. ¡Qué valientes!
Justo cuando estábamos a punto de salir (bueno, no del todo, yo todavía estaba en la ducha), llegó el fontanero celestial, Manolo, para instalar la nueva placa de cocina. No lo esperaba, pero no me quejo. SG fue a tomar un café y yo esperé mientras Manolo hacía su rápido y excelente trabajo. Y ahora, mientras Merchi hace su magia, me voy a La Popina a tomar el café de la mañana y, probablemente, un segundo desayuno.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
I’m so glad everything is working out! But whew, what a giant hassle (to put it mildly) for you both.
I hope you’re having a nice, relaxing Wednesday, my friend. You deserve it!
Jennifer
I like landscape art work myself, and male nudes. These are wonderful works but a few with their stares gives me chills.
And “Manolo did his quick and excellent work.” That must explain the more chipper mood and extra spring in your step. Just what did the quick and excellent work besides the cook top entail dear?
Mistress Borghese:
I appreciate good landscape art, but it doesn’t sing to me the way portraits and people do. As for Manolo, there was a very, very long tube involved. (He removed the old butane line for the on-demand water heater and installed a new, large, tank water heater.) Although he’s a great plumber and all-around nice guy, he doesn’t make my water boil.
Glad the Day Without Power™ is behind you and all is being righted in your ship.
I, too, like portraits quite a bit; you can learn [or imagine] a lot looking at the faces.
Bob:
I love portraiture and people in art. I appreciate other types of art, but don’t get the same excitement.
That was the day from hell. Such a waste. I’m not surprised you’re both feeling down. Let’s hope power is back to stay. Boud
Boud:
All is back to normal. Still no word on why it happened. But at least officials in Portugal have stopped pointing fingers or being misquoted.
And what beautiful frames for the portraits. You live in a wonderful city.
Anon:
Yes, the frames are stunning.
Who wouldn’t be fascinated with those portraits? De Torres appears to capture souls in his work. And it is striking to me how very current some of the portraits look. Your favorite is my favorite as well. Those eyes.
That was Ms. Moon
Sigh
Ms. Moonsigh:
That’s how I would describe his portraits, too.
He certainly was a talented artist!
I can’t deny I am intrigued why a plumber was required to fit what I assume is an electric hob? Jx
Jon:
The plumber is licensed to do other things as well thankfully. He started the process with the installation of the new water heater. That meant the butane was disconnected permanently which meant the gas hob had to go. Installing the new hob took him no time. Nice to have a master of all trades when you need him.
I really enjoyed seeing these paintings. Those eyes! Those mouths! It’s such a skill to be able to paint those like this, so natural and delicious. My favorite is the one in the center, with the pearl earring and cream-background frame.
Imagine allllll of the spoiled food all around Spain. Ouch. I guess your favorite restaurants had generators for their walk-in coolers??
Judy C:
Yes, the pearl earring is a beauty! I wonder how many of the restaurants had generators. I hope a lot. I know many were able to continue serving.
Oddly enough, my favourite is the woman with the apple whose face is turned away from the viewer. Makes her even more mysterious!
Debra:
That one started out as my favorite. Then I waffled! Yes, I love that one with her head turned away.
That top one is also my favorite, but it’s bad enough I have to wonder what Mona Lisa is smiling at. Now her too?!
Kirk:
There’s a hesitancy like shyness or embarrassment in her smile. Makes you wonder.
I wonder what de Torres’ subjects thought of his paintings? I guess they must have been pleased, but that poor woman in the top photo looks tired. I love the one of the back of a woman’s head. How often do you see a portrait from behind? Very inventive.
So this answers my question about the food in the fridge. That’s a bummer, but not surprising.
Steve:
I know he had many models he used again and again. So, they must have been pleased… at least they got paid. And one even ended up on Spanish currency! And, yes, that portrait from behind is one of my favorites. I first had that one at the top.
Yes indeed beautiful portraits and the frames are well suited for them. Great talent, it is as if they will speak to you.
larrymuffin:
I love what good portraiture makes me imagine. I would love to have some of those frames.
Glad things are back on track now for you. Living in a rural area, we’ve had more than our share of power outages over the years (both summertime storms and wintertime ice) and even though refrigerated items don’t usually make it, an unopened freezer can last 24-48 hours, depending on how full it is. I’ve got stories I can tell! We finally invested in a generator that kicks on immediately.
My favorite painting is the one from behind!
Kelly:
Great that you have a generator where you are. We could see lights here and there and know who had generators here. Our freezer was fairly empty, so we didn’t want to take any chances with the three packages of meat therein. Other than that, we didn’t have much to lose. Yogurt and cottage cheese survived!
I always try to photograph art work, so it is clear that it is a photograph of artwork. At a slight angle, including the frame and wall makes that clear. Now you get to try cooking to break in the new cooktop.
David:
Yes, now JERRY gets to break in the new cooktop!
I have also wondered why a plumber would be fitting a stove top…….either an electrician or a gas man surely!
Frances.
Frances:
He’s licensed for both. He first installed a new hot water heater. No more butane, so the stovetop had to be changed.