What's on this October

This month, see the best of Frans Hals’s work in a major new exhibition The Observer is calling a ‘once-in-a-lifetime experience’. Learn all about the heyday of Dutch art via our unmissable courses, and be inspired by our 5-star show to create your own portrait.

Frans Hals, The Laughing Cavalier, 1624 © The Wallace Collection, London

Now open

Explore one of Western art's greatest portrait painters at our "superb, swaggering show" (Financial Times). Become a Member to get unlimited free entry.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The Times
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The Observer

The Credit Suisse Exhibition: Frans Hals

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New to see

Lorenzo Costa, Portrait (supposed to be of Battista Fiera), about 1490-5 © The National Gallery, London

Italian masterpieces

See a display of early Italian paintings including works by Piero della Francesca, Botticelli and many more.

Ground Floor Galleries

The Triumphs of Caesar

Enjoy a special display of 9 monumental canvases by Andrea Mantegna, on loan from Hampton Court Palace.

Room 14

Upcoming events

Detail from Johannes Vermeer, 'A Young Woman standing at a Virginal', about 1670-2 © The National Gallery, London

Civic pride and private pleasures

Discover the heyday of Dutch art, including the works of Frans Hals, Rachel Ruysch and Johannes Vermeer, with art historian Lydia Bauman.

Every Thursday, 5 October - 16 November
3.30 pm
Tickets £87.50
Online

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Frans Hals, The Lute Player, before 1623–4 Musée du Louvre, Paris © RMN-Grand Palais (musée du Louvre) / Mathieu Rabeau

Portraits of joy

Inspired by our exhibition on Frans Hals, join us in exploring how we can bring portraits to life through various mark-making, and attempt to capture a glimpse of a sitter's character.

From Thursday, 12 October
4 pm
Free, drop-in sessions
Room 23

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