On the last Friday of February members of the Cambridge Society enjoyed another one of our regular monthly tours led by Blue Badge Guide Caroline Piper. This time we were at the National Gallery exploring the story of western European art from the 13th century to 1700. It was great to see some familiar faces, but also to welcome new people to the tours programme and brand new Society members attending their very first event!
We started the tour with early altarpieces, including the famous Wilton Diptych, made as a private object of worship for an English king. It is extraordinary to stand (or kneel!) where King Richard II stood and admire this exquisite representation of the earth and the heavens, with the flattering message that Jesus is giving / entrusting the country to Richard.
From here we looked at the developments of the Renaissance; pioneers of perspective, anatomy, oil paints and the new classical subject matter of gods and goddesses, before arriving at High Renaissance masters such as Holbein and Titian. The fantastic Holbein portrait “The Ambassadors” remains a top favourite at the gallery, especially for its clever anamorphic skull, which you can only see if standing at a particular angle to the painting.
In the 17th century painting genres and masters abound, from the dramatic religious works of Caravaggio, to Claude’s elegant landscapes, Reubens’ classical history paintings, Rembrandt’s portraits and Velazquez’s naughty and unconventional female nude. Personal favourites of course varied, but Caroline particularly enjoyed introducing the group to the landscapes of the French painter Claude (who spent most of his life in Rome) and who so inspired the later British painter JMW Turner that when Turner left his paintings to the nation he insisted 2 of his paintings hang in the same room as 2 of Claude’s in perpetuity. Go to Room 15 at the National Gallery and stand in this small room, avert your eyes from the labels, and see if you can tell the difference, the influence of one upon the other is uncanny!
Organised by Caroline Piper