One of the reasons I love London is the amount of free things you can do there.
The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square is always a favourite haunt of mine. I was there this month for Cagnacci’s Repentant Magdalene and will return in March for Michelangelo & Sebastiano .
As you know, I usually come to London to see a show, so I find I have plenty of time to explore in the afternoon (I’m not a big shopper you see).
So, although, last week, I was complaining about the number of pictures there are to see and the lack of time I have to see them, I am pleased to say that the National Gallery is opening a new gallery this month.
Gallery B is on the ground floor and will give visitors a continuous viewing experience as they explore the ground floor galleries and progress up to the main floor.
The inter-connected galleries will host educational activities and National Gallery Collection special displays and exhibitions. The first of which will be Rubens and Rembrandt, in which the Flemish artist, Rubens, will be hung opposite works by his Dutch counterpart, Rembrandt – two great 17th-century masters facing off in central London. It is said that Rembrandt was influenced by Rubens, even owning a painting by him, so maybe you’ll be able to see that as you compare their paintings across the room – listen carefully and you might be able to hear what they say to each other!
Works will include history paintings, landscapes, portraiture and more.
This new gallery space has been created with the support of the Wolfson Foundation, an independent charity that supports and promotes excellence in the fields of science, health, education and the arts and humanities.
Rubens and Rembrandt opens from 22 March 2017 and admission is free.