Estorick Museum in Islington

One of my first discoveries in Islington was the Estorick Collection, a small private museum focusing on modern Italian art. I followed Upper Street, one of the main thoroughfares in Islington, up to Canonbury Square where the museum is housed.

Upper Street

Upper Street church and practically next door the neighborhood atheists

Canonbury Square

The courtyard of the Estorick Museum

I had expected to see work by Giorgio Morandi, a painter I have long known and loved, and there was,indeed, one small oil on display. But his stunning etchings were the surprise discovery for me. In some ways, especially in his signature still lifes of bottles and various vessels, the severity of black and white is almost more expressive.

Each small viewing room had one of these exquisite benches. too beautiful to sit on

A sculpture by Emilio Greco