Renaissance Faces: Van Eyck to Titian
15 October 2008 – 18 January 2009

This landmark exhibition explores the dramatic rise of portraiture in the Renaissance. It features works by the great masters of Northern and Southern Europe, including Raphael, Titian, Botticelli, Van Eyck, Holbein, Dürer, Lotto, Pontormo and Bellini.

Renaissance Faces provides a rare opportunity to explore Renaissance portraiture in exceptional depth, displaying over 70 paintings alongside important sculptures, drawings and medals.

During the Renaissance, portraits touched on every aspect of human life, from childhood to politics, friendship, courtship, marriage, old age and death.

This exhibition provides fresh insights into fundamental issues of likeness, memory and identity, while revealing a remarkable community of princes, envoys, merchants, clergymen, tradesmen and artists.

The exhibition is organised by the National Gallery, London, and the Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid.

For further information, please see “Plan a visit” and “Tickets” (prices range from GBP 0 for under-12s to GBP 25.00 for full price, unlimited entry season tickets – worthwhile if you’re even considering two viewings in a day, with lunch in between, let alone a Proper Look, several times over, with periods of reflection and digestion along the way).

There’s also a nice online slide-show, and a series of associated events: lectures Wednesdays 6.30-7.30 p.m.), courses and workshops (mainly Saturday mornings), music, a Sunday brunch, and films (Saturdays at 2.30 p.m.).

Images: (upper) Jan van Eyck, ‘Margaret, the Artist’s Wife‘, 1439. Groeningemuseum, Bruges. KMSKA © Lukas – Art in Flanders VZW.
(lower) Albrecht Dürer, ‘Conrad Merckell‘, 1508 © The Trustees of The British Museum, London