Adresse: Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, London WC2N 5DN
In the Bruges of the 1400s, the Italian Arnolfini family must have been rather important in order to have none other than the top painter of the Flemish tradition, local artist Jan Van Eyck - who was also the official painter of the Court of Philip the Good, the Grand Duke of Burgundy - to carry out their portraits. Van Eyck put all his expertise in oil painting to work in portraying a number of select items to celebrate the wealth of the Italian couple. From the luxurious furnishings of the room to the elegantly tailored garments of the couple - every detail, precisely depicted, suggests their abundant means. But who are the two people depicted in the painting? Actually, very little is known about the couple. Most probably, it is Giovanni di Nicolao of Arnolfini, known as Giannino or Jehannin, who would have been around 34 years of age in 1434. The woman is most likely his second wife. Quite noteworthy is the large round mirror at the centre of the composition which shows the convex reflection of the room, but also two men entering the room through a door behind the couple. Above the mirror is written Johannes de Eyck fuit hic. 1434 (Jan van Eyck was here. 1434). Could it be Van Eyck and his assistant entering the room to carry out the portrait? The masterpiece has been at the National Gallery since 1842.
Five decades of iconic Country music photography from photographer Alan Messer as he presents his historic collection that captures the hearts of Nashville legends.
The history of photography according to Elton John
This exhibition covers the period from the 1950s to the present day and bring together an unrivalled selection of the world’s leading photographers including works by Robert Mapplethorpe, Cindy Sherman, William Eggleston, Diane Arbus, Sally Mann, and others.
Twenty years after the extraordinary success of the show Jailhouse Rock, West End's star Mario Kombou and musical director David Mackay join forces for the new musical The Elvis Years, a show that spans the entire creative life of the King of Rock.
An exhibition dedicated to visionary collector Patric D. Prince's unique collection of digital art and the fascinating collaborations and use of technology it reveals. The 14 works on display provide a snapshot of digital art practices from the 1960s to early 2000s.