[National Museum of Western Art] “London National Gallery Exhibition” preview report

Vincent van Gogh "Sunflower" 1888

In the middle of March, a special preview for the "London National Gallery Exhibition" media was held at the National Museum of Western Art. This time I will tell you how.

* Opening has been postponed. Even after the opening, the ticket sales method and the entrance method to the exhibition room may change due to congestion measures.
Please be sure to check the latest information on the exhibition official website (https://artexhibition.jp/london2020/) .

The first treasure in Britain, a miracle, comes to Japan.

The London National Gallery is located in Trafalgar Square in central London . Specializing in Western painting, its world-class collection continues to attract many visitors. Unlike many European museums, the main feature is that it was formed by the citizens for the sake of the citizens, rather than the royal collection. In a sense, it can be said that it is "our (our) collection" by the British people.

However, until now, the gallery has been cautious about lending a large number of works, never holding an exhibition outside the UK .

In this exhibition, the world-famous masterpieces of the London National Gallery are a miracle landing in Japan. This opportunity that all works are "first visit to Japan" is truly a historical exhibition.

Now, on a beauty journey around the history of Western painting

There are 61 works coming to Japan this time. This exhibition consists of seven chapters, and the masterpieces from the Renaissance to the post-impressionist are shown at once. You can get a bird's eye view of Western painting history while understanding the history of mutual relations between Britain and the European continent, and you can enjoy it just like a textbook, so beginners of Western painting as well as art fans can enjoy it because of the high quality of the collection. It's an exhibition that you can enjoy.

Not to mention the breadth of the times, Van Gogh, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Turner … The works of painters who are famous in the history of painting are all gathered together in the "Beauty Hall of Fame" and "All-Star of the Western Art World". ".
In particular, Van Gogh's "Sunflower" exhibited in Chapter 7 is a special work in which he acknowledged the work himself and marked it. Please enjoy the power of "Sunflower" that gives off a brilliant glow in the venue directly at the venue!

What are the viewing times and points to note?

The viewing time is about one hour if you just look around. If you want to take a closer look at each work, it's a good idea to look a little further.
Due to the new coronavirus infection, there may be restrictions on the number of people and reservations, but if that happens, there should be plenty of viewing space.
Please check the museum's support in advance on the official website.

Exhibition work introduction

Johannes Vermeer
《Young woman sitting in front of the virginal》 c. 1670-72

A girl's gaze that invites the viewer over time.

In recent years, the "Vermeer Boom" in Japan is a new painter in the world. This work exhibited at this exhibition depicts a young woman sitting in front of a virgin (small plucked keyboard instrument) and looking at it. Marble floors, beautifully decorated virgins, paintings with gold picture frames … The luxury of the interior suggests that it is a rather high-ranking woman.

The eye-catching blue color is also called "Vermeer Blue". And it is a free and open touch that you can not draw too carefully as you can see in the painting behind. It seems that the stringed instrument Viola da Gamba in the lower left is telling us who are watching, "Let's play together."

Canaletto (real name: Giovanni Antonio Canal)
《Venice: Grand Canal Regatta》 circa 1735

What I drew is not the scenery, but the liveliness of the citizens (drama).

Canaletto (real name: Giovanni Antonio Canal) is known as the most important landscape painter in Europe in the 18th century.

This "Venice: Grand Canal Regatta" depicts the scenery of a gondola race on the Grand Canal of the painter's hometown of Venice, but I was amazed by its extraordinary descriptive power and the expression of fresh air and water. I will. The gondola in the middle of the screen is a gorgeous gondola, and a large number of spectators are drawn on both sides of the Grand Canal, which occupies most of the screen, and you can hear the cheers of the people.

Italy is currently forced into a limited life due to the influence of the new Corona. I just pray for the day when a vibrant scene, as depicted in this painting, returns.

Diego Velázquez, Christ of the House of Malta and Mary, circa 1618

Garlic, eggs, olive oil … Real kitchen conditions for the common people.

A young woman holding a pestle and mortar in a frugal room that seems to be a kitchen. She looks a little grumpy because she cooks to entertain herself, but her sister, Maria, is not helping and listening to Jesus all the time.

This painting is based on the story written in the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament, and was painted by Velasquez, a young man, in his hometown of Seville. It should be noted that the most important questions and answers of Jesus and Mary have been pushed to the corners of the screen, and instead, the foreground is drawn with overwhelming texture and realism. It may be said, so to speak, "genre paintings borrowing the form of religious paintings ."

White fish giving off a smooth luster, texture of garlic and eggs on the table … Please take note of the "still life on the table in front" and appreciate it.

Vincent van Gogh "Sunflower" 1888

Van Gogh's masterpiece loved all over the world.

Van Gogh drew four sunflowers in a vase from 1888 for his friend Paul Ghogan, who plans to live together. "Sunflower" at the London National Gallery was the fourth, and Van Gogh admitted that it was suitable for decorating Gauguin's bedroom. In other words, it's Van Gogh's own approval.

Sunflowers that bloom toward the sun and bloom in golden color. Inspired by techniques learned from the neo-Impressionists during the Paris era, and Japanese ukiyo-e, Van Gogh expressed this intense sunflower image that transcends everyday life and resembles the image of the inner world.

After Van Gogh's death, I wonder if people around the world have loved it. Please experience the power of "life" in his work for yourself.

Event outline

Exhibition name	"London National Gallery Exhibition"
Session	Opening date undecided-Sunday , June 14, 2020 9: 30 ~ 17: 30 Every Friday and Saturday: 9: 30 ~ 20: 00 * Last admission 30 minutes before closing
closing day	Monday
Venue	National Museum of Western Art
Viewing fee	On the day: General 1,700 yen, University students 1,100 yen, High school students 700 yen * Opening has been postponed. Even after the opening, the ticket sales method and the entrance method to the exhibition room may change due to congestion measures. Please be sure to check the latest information on the exhibition official website (https://artexhibition.jp/london2020/) . * Free for junior high school students and younger. * Persons with physical and mental disabilities and one accompanying person are free (please show the disability certificate when entering the building).
Official site	https://artexhibition.jp/london2020/