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The National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery reopened its doors to the public last week after a three year renovation which has modernised the building and has included new public spaces, galleries, and learning facilities. Moreover, visitors are now welcomed by three grandiose doors created by Tracey Emin and enriched with 45 female faces, each hand-drawn in her signature gestural style.
The display includes spectaculr works such as Sir Joshua Reynolds' Portrait of Mai (Omai) and - in an attempt to redress decades of gender imbalance - more portraits of and by women, including Jessica Dismorr's Self Portait, c. 1929, and Sarah Biffin's Self Portrait, c. 1825, previously with Philip Mould & Co.
Where: National Portrait Gallery.
Tickets: Free entry.
Mary Beale: Experimental Secrets
Mary Beale was the most distinguished female portrait painter of the Stuart period and enjoys a particular celebrity status among the portraitists of the 17th century. Through the diaries kept by her husband Charles, who became her studio assistant, we know more of her technique and working practice than that of many of her contemporaries.
Now, with brand new research and investigations, Mary Beale: Experimental Secrets at Dulwich Picture Gallery aims to shed new light not only on this renowned painter's life and practice but also the art world in 17th century London.
When: From 12th April until 3rd September 2023
Where: Dulwich Picture Gallery, London
Tickets: £8-£15. To book your tickets, visit the Dulwich Picture Gallery website.
Art and Gardens
Garden designer Sarah Price and Head Gardener of the Garden Museum Matt Collins will be discussing the interplay between art and gardening at Charleston, as part of their Festival of the Garden.
Last May, Sarah Price recreated the essence of Benton End - the former home of our beloved artist-plantsman Sir Cedric Morris - for the 2023 RHS Chelsea Flower Show; and Matt Collins, in fact, moved to Benton End for two years, where he kept watch over the garden. With strong ties to the intersection between art and plants, this talk promises interesting discussions about the idea of gardens being artworks in themselves.
The Festival of the Garden runs from 13th until 16th July and includes performances, talks, workshops and walks around Charleston’s garden in full bloom.
When: 16th July at 5pm
Where: Charleston House
Tickets: £10–£16. To book your tickets, visit Charleston’s website.
