About this experience
In the world's third most visited museum, thousands of best works of Western European painting from several centuries are collected. I will help you not get lost in this treasure trove and not miss the main points, explain the logic of art development, teach you to distinguish Manet from Monet and masterpieces from craftsmanship, and also tell you about the geniuses and their scandalous actions.
What to expect
About the main in the National Gallery
You will study the masterpieces of Rembrandt, Rubens, Velazquez, El Greco, Van Gogh, Claude Monet and Eduard Manet, Raphael, Michelangelo and many other brilliant masters. I will tell you about the ingenious techniques used by the old masters to achieve maximum realism and captivate the viewer. You will hear why the Renaissance replaced the Gothic era, which was completely forgotten in the Baroque and Rococo period, why artists eventually abandoned realism and turned to abstraction. And using several works as examples, you will learn how to distinguish a masterpiece from a good craftwork.
Curious details from the world of painting
You will learn why Anna Akhmatova greets you on the floor of the main entrance to the gallery and why a painting cut into pieces hangs in the main hall of the Impressionists. I will tell you how to determine the creation time of a monument by the length of a horse's tail and for what reason some paintings develop cracks over time (craquelure) while others do not. I will teach you how to easily distinguish between Baroque and Rococo, and Manet from Monet. We will discuss why the Dutch loved still lifes with dead game, rotten fruits, and skulls so much, and who can actually be considered the pioneer of Impressionism. Additionally, you will find out why Van Gogh cut off his ear and why Gauguin traded a job in a bank for life with the natives in Tahiti.
Who is this tour for
The narration is in a simple, accessible form that is understandable to everyone. This tour will be interesting for a novice art enthusiast who wants to learn the basics about the National Gallery.
Organizational details
- I or my colleague will conduct the tour for you
- The museum is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm, entry to the gallery is free
