Scrapbook for April 2020

28.04.2020 – Who's that train?

That's the Queen. Well, sort of.
Prince Charles. No, not really.
But where have we seen that train before?

The Prince Charles figure appears to have been modelled on David Cameron. The animators passed on the chance to give the heir to the throne his characteristically close-set eyes, but hinted at the sticky-out ears just enough without risking lese-majesty – 'Wingnut' he was called at school.

The American habit of putting initials on caps has given us a 'C' not a 'G' (Gordonstoun, not that they would have anything so naff).

Yes, the face on the 'Royal Engine' definitely belongs to that no-longer-royal American lady. Wasn't the couple not supposed to use 'royal' now, let alone market the royal family in this way?

The grubby and rusty member of the working engine classes is Thomas the Tank Engine. Standing next to him we presume is the Fat Controller, slightly slimmed and in a high-vis jacket.

Here she is again, the 'Duchess' (short for the 'Duchess of Loughborough' we are told), being mounted by three men, causing no more than a raised regal eyebrow. The light café au lait colour of the engine is delicious.

The face of modern Britain in the 1950s. Thomas the Tank engine, covered in dirt and rust, ill-used – the eternal oik. Salt of the earth. Beautifully contrasted with the immaculately turned out 'Duchess'.

Next to him stands the dirt-spattered but still proudly deferential Fat Controller. If you are deferential enough you may get a gong, it seems. There are some multi-culti onlookers (in the 1950s?) observing social distancing on the other platform.

And finally, have the Sussex couple considered the carbon footprint of all this coal burning from the good old days?

Another Disney product. Harry's now notorious pitch to the Disney boss didn't go unheeded, obviously. We are told that

Proceeds from the anniversary edition are being donated to environment and sustainability projects under Harry's Travalyst project.

'Proceeds' being what is left over when everyone has taken their cut. Business is business. Let's see what the Queen and Prince Charles want for the use of their identity and image.

17.04.2020 – Schubert portrait 'Young Franz Schubert'

Prompted by our discussion of Schubert portraits, reader James Yook sends in a portrait he created based on existing images, but attempting to make Franz look younger and give him an 'optimistic and cheerful look'. The setting sun in the background was inspired by listening to the Rellstab Ständchen (D 957.4).

James is 'a self-taught painter and ex-graphic design professor living in New Jersey, USA'. He adds:

My love for young Schubert and his music seem to bring forth his pure and complex thoughts of enlightenment and hope. I like Jacques-Louis David and Edvard Manet.

Thank you, James – in this time of plague and lockdowns we need all the optimism and cheer we can find!

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