𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐥s

2,300-Year-Old Plush Bird from the Altai Mountains of Siberia, c.400-300 BCE: this figure was crafted with a felt body and reindeer-fur stuffing, all of which remains intact

“There’s a legend about a Chinese painter who was asked by the emperor to paint a landscape so pristine that the emperor can enter it. He didn’t do a good job, so the emperor was preparing to assassinate him. But because it was his painting, legend goes, he stepped inside and vanished, saving himself. I always loved that little allegory as an artist. Even when it is not enough for others, if it is enough for you, you can live inside it.”

“September 7: Harry S. came for dinner. He cycled to our house after working out in Mayfair. We had not seen him for a long time. It was just the three of us. He’s done with his tour and taking a much-deserved break. As he is a pescatarian I made a leek and zucchini risotto with a quick veg stock I cooked up, followed by cod alla livornese, which I can't seem to get enough of these days. Felicity made a carrot salad. We drank tequila and wine and Harry brought one of the best single-malt scotches I've ever tasted. We talked a lot about books and love. Harry is a voracious reader. He's reading Rilke now. He's a thoughtful and kind fellow. Not Rilke. Harry. I never knew Rilke.”