Issued March 2017
The National Gallery had the honour last night (Monday 13 March 2017) of welcoming its Royal Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales, to a private view of The Credit Suisse Exhibition: Michelangelo & Sebastiano.
HRH The Prince of Wales with the Director of the National Gallery, Dr Gabriele Finaldi.
During his visit The Prince of Wales toured the exhibition with the National Gallery Director, Dr Gabriele Finaldi and Chair of Trustees, Hannah Rothschild, before meeting members of staff and other invited guests at a reception.
The Prince of Wales and the National Gallery have enjoyed a long and beneficial association. The Royal Patronage was announced at a private view of 'Delacroix and the Rise of Modern Art' in February 2016. The Prince of Wales was previously a Trustee of the National Gallery from 1986 to 1993.
Commenting on the occasion of the royal visit, Hannah Rothschild, Chair of the National Gallery Trustees, said:
"We are delighted that our Royal Patron, The Prince of Wales, has chosen to open this important exhibition which is a celebration of the friendship between two great artists, Michelangelo and Sebastiano, and a demonstration of what can be achieved through a spirit of collaboration and creative exchange.”
The National Gallery Director, Dr Gabriele Finaldi, added:
"The Prince of Wales’s friendship with the National Gallery is longstanding and we are very grateful for his ongoing support as we care for the nation’s pictures, exhibiting great works of art which are open to all."
'The Credit Suisse Exhibition: Michelangelo & Sebastiano' opens to the public tomorrow, Wednesday 15 March and runs until 25 June. The first exhibition ever to explore the creative partnership between Michelangelo (1475–1564) and Sebastiano (1485–1547), it highlights the complementary talents, yet divergent personalities, of the two Italian Renaissance artists.
On view will be approximately seventy works – paintings, drawings, sculptures, and letters – produced by Michelangelo and Sebastiano before, during and after their association. Examples of their extensive, intimate correspondence offer us a unique insight into their personal and professional lives; their concerns, frustrations, and moments of glory.
For further information, please contact the National Gallery Press Office on 020 7747 2865 or email press@ng-london.org.uk
For public enquiries, please contact 020 7747 2885 or information@ng-london.org.uk