Cathy Read - artist - Roof of the British Museum - Painting

British Museum’s Breathtaking Atrium Roof!

What was the last thing you saw that took your breath away?

The moment you saw it, you couldn’t stop staring! Whether it’s a person or a place, some things are simply breathtaking!

When I first visited the British Museum I  was expecting a stuffy building. I’d managed to get through far too many years without visiting and the image in my mind was old, dark. dusty and, if I’m honest, a bit damp.

It's a familiar image that museums have been trying to shake of for years.

Sure there are some that are still like this but most have embrace the 21st century and endeavour to shake of the cobwebs. Still the image persists somewhere at the back of the psyche that museums are dull.

Sure there are some that are still like this but most have embrace the 21st century and endeavour to shake of the cobwebs. Still the image persists somewhere at the back of the psyche that museums are dull.

So imagine walking into the British Museum and seeing this...

Cathy Read - artist - Roof of the British Museum - Painting

I was so obsessed I developed neck ache

Because I was far more interested in the building’s roof than its exhibits, and believe me it has many wonderful exhibits that are worth the trip! The roof is a complex construction managing to connect a rectangular building courtyard with a round tower. An impressive architectural achievement that looks deceptively simple. I’ve created several version which have proved popular although with the roof structure the language has been colourful during their creation.

So I thought, for my Day 21 Painting, we’d head back to the British museum and share where contemporary architecture has been used to enhance a much loved veteran. Or, at least, one of my interpretations of the result.

What things have taken your breath away recently?

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Scroll to Top