It’s one of the few times when you won’t flinch when they get out the pics and you see the Lee Miller family album in rural England.
Because there are, in truth, few opportunities in life and travel to meet someone who was actually there.
Lee’s son Antony Penrose may well now be inundated with requests from interested parties for his personal tours of the house.
To get to scour through Lee Miller’s family album is, of course, to tour pre- and World War Europe and Dachau atrocities.
Bathtime with Hitler
And get as close as it is now possible to sit in Hitler’s bathtub.
And who could resist sitting in a famous person’s bath… not ours but King Edward VIIth’s in the Hapsburg Empire’s Bohemia.
Which, of course, we’ll save your eyes from by not showing here.
Lee had her own reasons for shielding her modesty in Adolf’s bagne.
As she feared the censors at Vogue would not publish the pic of her boobs were showing.
Although she and her amie had no such reservations in the free-loving pre-War French Riviera.
CopyKate Lee
All of which you’ll know from the Kate Winslet film which has been getting rave reviews.
And we would surely recommend for Oscars consideration.
Of course, as well as the chronicle of the celebrated photographer’s portfolio in Farley’s House, East Sussex, south of London.
Visitors can also get up close and personal with Pablo Picasso, Lee’s great pal.
In an abstract face with a yellow nose, above the Aga… and who hasn’t got either of those?
While there’s another Pablo in the kitchen.
A Picasso ink sketch on the wall of Grasshopper Bulls, inspired by Roland Penrose and Lee Miller’s bull, William.
And a display of that photograph of Lee in Hitler’s tub.
Aladdin’s Cave
Now we know from the Winslet movie that it was only after Antony went into the family attic after she died in 1977 that he found her Aladdin’s Cave.
Some 60,000 negatives and thousands of pages of meticulous notes from her life.
Farleys boasts two galleries, a former barn with a cafe and contemporary art exhibitions.
And one marking the 75th anniversary of the family moving into the house.
The larger barn houses Lee’s pics from the Blitz in England.
And Antony’s round-the-world Land Rover trip in the Seventies.
A pioneering Travel journalist
At Lee’s, Roland’s and Antony’s story is curious minds and a love of travel.
Farleys House and Gallery is open Thursday, Friday and Sunday from April-31 October (entrance £10 or £23 with tour).
Book today and step back in time when you see the Lee Miller family album.
