NATIONAL GALLERY
Read moreNorth of Trafalgar Square, the museum, located in a large neoclassical building, houses one of the most beautiful collections of paintings in the world by Western European masters. Divided into four wings, the collections, more than 2,000 works, are chronologically classified: from the 13th to the 15th century, from the 16th to the 18th century and the 20th century.
Among the artists present, we can mention the Italian masters: Botticelli, Raphael, Michelangelo, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio; the Spaniards: El Greco, Velázquez, Goya; the English: Hogarth, Gainsborough, Turner; the French: Le Lorrain, Poussin, Watteau... Even if we advise you to take your time in one of the most beautiful museums in Europe, you may have to go to the essential for want of time. Here is a quick memo of the essentials so you don't miss a thing!The Husbands Arnolfini by Jan Van Eyck. 1434. Room 56. This painting depicts a rich merchant and his wife, in a bourgeois interior meticulously detailed. While the issue of the wife's pregnancy has caused much ink to flow in the art history community, the curators at the National Gallery tend to dismiss this idea. It is a very beautiful rendering of the play of light and the miniaturization of details (reflections in the mirror).
The Baptism of Christ of Piero della Francesca. Around 1450. Room 66. This panel was the central element of a polyptych. It is one of the artist's first works.
Venus and Mars of Botticelli. Around 1485. Room 58. Mars, the god of war, was one of the lovers of Venus, the goddess of Love. The painting shows Mars asleep and unarmed beside Venus awake and alert, symbol of the Love that overcomes all. This work was probably intended to decorate a room.
The Virgin at the Rock of Leonardo da Vinci. Between 1491 and 1508. Room E. The work is commissioned by the brotherhood of the Milanese Immaculate Conception. If the painting does not seem to refer directly to the Immaculate Conception, it is typically in the style of subjects that Leonardo painted such as St. John the Baptist, themes that were then very popular.
The Burial of Michelangelo. 1501. Room 8. This unfinished painting shows the Christ carried to be placed in his tomb. The painting was a priori intended for the church of San Agostino in Rome and was never delivered. We recognize Michelangelo's style, which is similar to other works of the same period.
The Emmaus Supper of the Caravaggio. 1601. Room 32. On their way to Emmaus, two disciples of Jesus Christ met the risen Messiah without recognizing him. Christ is shown here during supper, when he breaks bread and the disciples realize who he is. Le Caravage innovates in the treatment of the subject, and the intensity of the characters is remarkable, accentuated by their gestures and expressions.
The Rokeby Venus of Velasquez. 1647-1651. Room 30. This is the only example we have of a female nude painted by Velázquez. Venus, goddess of Love, was considered as the personification of feminine beauty. She is shown here with her son Cupid. The work is surely a commission for the Marquis de Carpio, Prime Minister of Spain.
For the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, don't miss Les Baigneurs à la grenouillère by Monet, Les Tournesols by Van Gogh, Le Dernier Voyage du Téméraire by Turner and La Charette de hoin by Constable.
TATE BRITAIN
Read moreA visit to Tate Britain is a must if you want to discover the great British artists. This museum boasts an ever-expanding collection of British and international art, now numbering over 70,000 works. Make sure you allow plenty of time for your visit. It is one of the four main sites of the Tate.Originally called the National Gallery of British Art, it had only one site and housed a small collection of British art. The project was initiated by Sir Henry Tate, sugar magnate and art lover, who decided to donate his works to the British nation. Due to lack of space, the National Gallery was unable to accommodate this art collection, and so the project was born to create a museum open to the public, including Henry Tate's gift as well as other works by British artists from various collections. In 1892, the site of a former prison, Millbank Penitentiary, was chosen as the location for the new National Gallery of British Art, under the direction of the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Architect Sidney R. J. Smith took charge of refurbishing the building, opting for a neo-Byzantine style of architecture, recognizable by its arcades and central dome. In 1897, the Tate opened its doors to the public, displaying 245 works in eight rooms by British artists from the Renaissance to the present day. The result is the most important collection of British art, spanning 500 years of creativity and featuring the work of the most famous artists, including William Hogarth, Thomas Gainsborough, Francis Bacon, William Blake, Frederic Leighton, John Constable, Antony Gormley, Henri Moore, David Hockney... In 1932, the gallery officially adopted the name Tate Gallery. These collections were later enriched by the National Collection of Modern Art, mixing ancient and modern art until the decision was taken to split the collections in two. Renamed "Tate Britain" in March 2000 to coincide with the launch of the Tate Modern, it is also known for its many Pre-Raphaelite paintings. It is also home to the largest collection of works by Joseph William Mallord Turner, Britain's best-known painter (over 300 oils, watercolors and drawings). Tate Britain also hosts excellent temporary exhibitions and organizes the Turner Prize, the prestigious and often controversial competition for modern art.
WALLACE COLLECTION
Read moreIf the collection bears the name of the family which bequeathed its private collection to the State, they all come from the Marquis of Hertford, collector and art lover from father to son for generations, who collected all these exceptional pieces throughout his life. Besides, these little masterpieces are gathered in Hertford House, a beautiful 18th century French style building. You will find Le Titien, Rembrandt or Velasquez, and of course, a large selection of works by French artists such as Boucher, Watteau and Fragonard. The Wallace Collection also has magnificent medieval and Renaissance pieces, furniture in Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI style, a collection of Sevres porcelain, Limoges, majolica and an impressive collection of arms and armor.
SIR JOHN SOANE'S MUSEUM
Read moreHome of Sir John Soane, the architect behind The Bank of England. A collector and art enthusiast, Soane amassed dozens of architectural pieces and small sculptures, which he installed throughout his house. Explore the new areas open to the public: catacombs, basement and hall. Overflowing with Egyptian, Roman, medieval and Renaissance curiosities, this museum is a little wonder. By reservation, one Friday a month, at dusk, this museum can be visited by candlelight. A magical atmosphere guaranteed!
NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
Read moreIn April 1824, the House of Commons purchased the painting collection of banker John Julius Angerstein. The thirty-eight paintings destined to form the nucleus of a new national collection were initially displayed in Angerstein's house at 100 Pall Mall, which was soon deemed too small. The National Gallery moved to Trafalgar Square and opened its doors in 1838. From the outset of the project, the aim was to make these works accessible to as many people as possible, with free admission and a central location. In 1869, architect E.M. Barry took on the project of rebuilding the entire gallery: seven new exhibition rooms were opened in 1867, and the gallery continued to expand, acquiring five new galleries in 1907. The new Sainsbury wing, completed in 1991, showcases the entire Renaissance collection. The National Gallery presents over 2,300 works from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, with the most recent pieces housed in the Tate. The rooms are organized chronologically, and feature paintings, sculptures and photographs of every iconic figure in English history, from the Middle Ages to the present day, from Henry VIII to Queen Elizabeth II, and from Michael Caine to the Beatles. The tour proceeds from top to bottom, starting with the earliest paintings, from the Tudor period on the second floor. This gallery features portraits of Henry VIII, Queen ElizabethI and William Shakespeare. Next come portraits from the reigns of the Stuarts and Hanover in the 17th (Charles I, Oliver Cromwell...) and 18th centuries. The 19th century also begins on the second floor (Admiral Nelson, William Blake, Jane Austen...) and continues on the second floor, with the Victorian era (Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens, the Brontë sisters...). Then comes the 20th century (the Royal Family, Virginia Woolf, Winston Churchill...). The balcony gallery features contemporary personalities such as Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Elton John. Other works featuring British personalities since 1900 can be found on the first floor. Last but not least, temporary exhibitions are organized on a regular basis, the program of which can be viewed on the website.
In 2023, the National Portrait Gallery finally reopened its doors after three years of renovation.
ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS
Read moreLocated in Burlington House, an imposing building in the Palladian style, it has been home to a variety of scientific and academic institutions since it was acquired by the state in 1853. Every year, the Royal Academy hosts major touring exhibitions. The most famous is the Summer Exhibition, a major contemporary art fair that has been running for 250 years. It is the world's oldest public-submission exhibition. Anyone can submit their work. It offers visitors a comprehensive view of what's being done in the art world every year. The gallery also preserves a small permanent collection located in the John Madejski salons, most of which comes from bequests made by the Academy's own members. The most remarkable of these is the Tondo Taddei, the only Michelangelo sculpture in the UK. At the heart of the Royal Academy is the oldest art school in the country, with a reputation for training brilliant artists. In 2018, to mark its 250th anniversary, the RA inaugurated a new space designed by architect Sir David Chipperfield AR. The space has been given 70% more exhibition space. As a result, visitors can now discover more exhibitions, as well as student works and creations, in a space specially dedicated to them. Other events include performances, meetings and screenings. Visit the website.