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Issued February 2023

'Masterpieces from the ÁùºÏ²ÊÔ¤²â, London' – a new exhibition of 52 paintings by artists such as Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Constable, Monet, and Van Gogh – is touring Asia during 2023 and early 2024.

As the Gallery prepares for NG200 – its year-long Bicentenary celebration from 10 May 2024 – significant building work in Trafalgar Square has given us an exceptional opportunity to bring even more people and paintings together globally by offering a chance for Asian audiences to access our collection without having to travel to London.

This new series builds on the hugely successful tour to Australia and Japan in 2020 and 2021, which was enjoyed by more than 700,000 people, along with numerous other ongoing ÁùºÏ²ÊÔ¤²â activities in the Asia region including learning and retail experiences, plus digital and brand partnerships.

'Masterpieces from the ÁùºÏ²ÊÔ¤²â, London' is currently drawing record audiences at its first venue, the Shanghai Museum (until 7 May 2023), and is the ÁùºÏ²ÊÔ¤²â’s first-ever exhibition in China.

From Shanghai it will travel to Seoul, opening at the National Museum of Korea on 2 June (until 9 October 2023). This is the ÁùºÏ²ÊÔ¤²â’s first visit to Korea and marks the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UK and Republic of Korea.

'Masterpieces from the ÁùºÏ²ÊÔ¤²â' is in essence a ‘ÁùºÏ²ÊÔ¤²â in miniature’ – a selection representative of the Gallery’s history which offers audiences a concise and beautiful history of Western art as uniquely told by the ÁùºÏ²ÊÔ¤²â’s collection.

Key loans include Sandro Botticelli, Three Miracles of Saint Zenobius (about 1500), Raphael, The Garvagh Madonna (about 15010–11), Jan Gossaert, A Young Princess (about 1530–2), Caravaggio, Boy bitten by a Lizard (about 1594–5), Rembrandt, Self Portrait at the Age of 63 (1669) Canaletto, Venice: Entrance to the Cannaregio (probably 1734–42), Van Gogh, Long Grass with Butterflies (1890) Claude Monet, Irises (about 1914-1917), John Constable, Stratford Mill (1820) and Turner, The Parting of Hero and Leander (before 1837).

Dr Gabriele Finaldi, Director of the ÁùºÏ²ÊÔ¤²â, says ‘I am delighted that the ÁùºÏ²ÊÔ¤²â is building on its highly successful tours of Australia and Japan and reaching new audiences across Asia and internationally.

The Gallery has an important role to play in promoting the UK’s globally recognised position as a centre for culture and the arts, and we remain passionately committed to cultural exchange internationally.

The tour demonstrates how the Gallery continues to innovate in the way it designs and delivers partnerships, with the exhibition representing what is essentially the ‘ÁùºÏ²ÊÔ¤²â in miniature’. It is also a reminder of the continued interest of audiences from around the world in the European tradition and the world-renowned collection we are custodians of here at the ÁùºÏ²ÊÔ¤²â.'

Yoon Sung Yong, Director of the National Museum of Korea, says 'It is a pleasure for the National Museum of Korea to organize this special exhibition with the ÁùºÏ²ÊÔ¤²â, in celebration of the 140th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom.

The Museum has played a central role in diffusing the Korean culture and history to a wider public while creating collaborative ties with other global institutions. This exhibition will be an important opportunity to explore the passages in European art history through the paintings from the ÁùºÏ²ÊÔ¤²â. I sincerely hope that this exhibition helps to further strengthen the links that unite the two countries.'

A further venue will be announced in due course.

Notes to editors

ÁùºÏ²ÊÔ¤²â is one of the greatest art galleries in the world. Founded by Parliament in 1824, the Gallery houses the nation’s collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the late 13th to the early 20th century. The collection includes works by Bellini, Cézanne, Degas, Leonardo, Monet, Raphael, Rembrandt, Renoir, Rubens, Titian, Turner, Van Dyck, Van Gogh and Velázquez. The Gallery’s key objectives are to enhance the collection, care for the collection and provide the best possible access to visitors. Admission free. More at nationalgallery.org.uk

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Images

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, Boy bitten by a Lizard, about 1594‒5 © ÁùºÏ²ÊÔ¤²â, London

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