Monday, 1 February 2016

The Courtauld Gallery - What's On February

The Courtauld Gallery
Book Now: Botticelli and Treasures from the Hamilton Collection
Opens 18 February 2016
Botticelli and Treasures from the Hamilton Collection
This major exhibition features no less than thirty of Botticelli’s exquisite drawings for Dante’s Divine Comedy alongside a selection of outstanding Renaissance illuminated manuscripts. These works were all sensationally sold to Berlin in 1882 by the 12th Duke of Hamilton. Dated to around 1480-95 and drawn on vellum, Botticelli’s Dante drawings are very rarely exhibited. This is an exceptional opportunity to see a representative collection of the great Renaissance master’s interpretation of one of the canonical texts of world literature. Ten drawings will be included from each of the three parts of the Divine Comedy, charting Dante’s imaginary journey through Hell, Purgatory and Paradise.

The drawings will be accompanied by an extraordinary selection of illuminated manuscripts, many from the time of Botticelli. These include the monumental Hamilton Bible. One of the most important illuminated manuscripts in the world, this splendid princely volume is depicted in Raphael’s portrait of Pope Leo X and has never returned to the United Kingdom since its sale in 1882.
Organised in collaboration with
Kupferstickkabinett, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Benefactors

  • Anonymous in memory of Melvin R. Seiden
  • Friends of The Courtauld
  • International Music and Art Foundation
This February join us in celebrating the works of Pieter Bruegel the Elder
Bruegel in Black & White: Three Grisailles Reunited 4 February – 8 May 2016
Christ and the Woman taken in Adultery
This focused exhibition brings together for the first time Bruegel’s only three surviving grisaille paintings: The Courtauld’s Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery, The Death of the Virgin from Upton House and Three Soldiers from the Frick Collection in New York.
                                 
Despite his status as the most important Netherlandish painter of the sixteenth century, Pieter Bruegel the Elder (c.1525-1569) remains an elusive artist: fewer than forty paintings are attributed to him.

This exhibition will include replicas made by Bruegel’s sons, as well as other grisailles in order to shed light on this genre in Northern Europe.        
Supporters
  • Friends of The Courtauld
  • Johnny Van Haeften Ltd
  • Eijk and Rose-Marie de Mol van Otterloo
Bruegel, Not Bruegel 
Open until 17 April 2016
 Kermis at Hoboken
Bruegel, Not Bruegel brings together the numerous works produced in the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries by Bruegel and works formerly attributed to him within the Courtauld Gallery’scollection.

Bruegel achieved widespread fame for his innovative graphic works. His close observation and exceptional skills as a draughtsman result in a palpable vision of the natural world in his landscapes, whilst his figural compositions burst with rich and keenly observed detail. The works closely imitate his style and attest to Bruegel’s lasting visual influence and, more practically, catered to continued demand amongst collectors.

With Valentine's Day less than a month away The Courtauld Gallery is on hand with a selection of inspiring gifts
Lucas Cranach the Elder
Membership: Share a Courtauld Gallery membership with your sweetheart this Valentine's Day!
                                      
Make this Valentine’s Day even more special by giving a Courtauld Friends membership from just £55, and you and your gift recipient will enjoy a full year of fantastic benefits together, including:
                            
• Free admission for two to the Courtauld Gallery including entry to Botticelli and Treasures from the Hamilton Collection, Bruegel in Black and White: Three Grisailles Reunited, Rodin & Dance: The Essence of Movement.
  • • Members-only exhibition previews, curatorial tours and events.
• Discounts at The Courtauld Gallery Shop and CafĂ©.
• Monthly Friends e-newsletters full of events.
And so much more!
Shop: Show your love with a beautiful and innovative giftfrom The Courtauld Gallery shop.

Make Valentine's Day one to remember with a fantastic range of romantic, heartfelt and thoughtful gifts. Discover our range of prints, jewellery and textiles inspired by The Gallery’s collection.

Laurige Clasp Purse This charming clasp purse is a beautiful accessory made only from the finest leather. The purse is available in four colours and can be used for spare change or to hold even a card or two. It will fit comfortably in the purse or bag of your loved one.
Hoffman Heart Bowl The wonderful secession designs of Josef Hoffmann, the Viennese designer who co-founded the Austrian Weiner Werkstatte in 1903, inspired this black and white home accessory. It is made from fine bone china and is an ideal gift this Valentine’s Day.
Bloomsbury Blue Cufflinks These cufflinks are iInspired by designs from The Omega Workshops, founded by the artist and critic Roger Fry in 1913. The vibrant blues and geometric patterns of the design are smart with an artistic flair. 
Cezanne Lac D’Annecy Silk Tie Let him dress to impress with this printed silk tie inspired by sky and water details in the serene painting Lac d'Annecy, by the post-Impressionist Paul Cezanne (1839 - 1906). The eye-catching richness of colour is the perfect addition to his wardrobe.
February Talks 
Look Closer Talk

Look Closer talk
Wednesday 3 Feb 2016
13.15

Delivered by a postgraduate student studying Conservation of Easel Painting at The Courtauld Institute of Art, this talk will be onA Bar at the Folies-Bergère by Edouard Manet.
Sunday Talks/Performances
Sunday Tours
Every Sunday
15.00 - 15.45

Explore highlights from the latest exhibition, or works from the collection, as they are examined by postgraduate students from The Courtauld Institute of Art.
Lunchtime Talks

Lunchtime Tours
Every Monday and Friday
13.15 - 13.30

Lunchtime talks are delivered by students and researchers at The Courtauld.  They are informal and an interesting way of looking closely at the works in our collection.
Utopia 2016: A year of Imagination and Possibility 
Utopia
This year, throughout  Somerset House we will be celebrating the influence of Thomas More's Utopia.

Four seasons of events, exhibitions and new commissions celebrating the idea of Utopia to mark the 500th anniversary of this influential text.

Check the Utopia 2016 websitefor more information.
TEDx
CourtauldInstitute


TEDxCourtauldInstitute
TEDxCourtauldInstitute 2016 'Utopia – Breaking the Rules' is a one-day conference of live speakers, performances and pre-recorded TED talks. Held on Sunday 13th March from 11am to 6:15pm at the Great Hall, King’s College London (Somerset House).
         
TEDxCourtauldInstitute will host Peter Liversidge as an Artist-in-Residence, who will create a new display for the event.

Ticketing information and a full list of speakers will be available on 25 January.
East Wing Biennial Presents: Artificial Realities
East Wing Biennial
Located at: The Courtauld Institute of Art,  East Wing  

Bringing together leading international contemporary artists whose diverse works will inspire visitors to  recognise the various worlds in which we live. Visitors will be encouraged to re-evaluate their own unique perception of reality.

Check the website for further information. 
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What's on elsewhere
Betty Woodman: Theatre of the Domestic
Chance, Order, Change
Abstract Paintings 1939 ‒ 1989
Imran Qureshi: Where the Shadows are so Deep
Giacomo Manzù: Sculptor and Draughtsman
Betty Woodman: Theatre of the Domestic
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ICA
3 Feb – 10 Apr 2016


The first UK solo presentation of works by Betty Woodman (born 1930), one of the most important contemporary artists working with ceramics today. The exhibition focuses on work Woodman has created in the last ten years, including a number of major new mixed media pieces, exploring the ways in which her work resonates with younger generations of artists.
Chance, Order, Change Abstract Paintings 1939 ‒ 1989
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The Barber Institute of Fine Arts
11 Feb ‒ 8 May 2016

Josef Albers, Victor Pasmore, Bridget Riley, Ad Reinhardt: Some of the 20th century’s most influential artists feature in this exciting exhibition of works lent by an important private collection, never before seen together in public.
Imran Qureshi: Where the Shadows are so Deep
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Barbican: The Curve
18 Feb - 10 July 2016 


For his first major London commission, award-winning Pakistani artist Imran Qureshi presents a series of exquisite miniature paintings, which draw upon The Curve as a motif in this tradition.
Giacomo Manzù: Sculptor and Draughtsman
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Estorick Collection
15 Jan – 3 April 2016


A true great of twentieth-century sculpture, Manzù is renowned for his delicate, moving work, focusing on portraiture and religious imagery. Presenting some fifty works, by one of modern Italian art’s masters.
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Big Bang Data
Extended until 20 March 2016
Embankment Galleries, South Wing

★★★★★ “A fascinating hands-on exhibition” Londonist
"A wonderful show" FT

"Epically informative... head-spinningly interesting" Time Out

Artists and designers help us understand our brave new world. This major exhibition features specially commissioned and rarely seen pieces – from migration patterns and artificial intelligence to the global population of cats and trends in selfies.

Victoria and Albert Museum - February at the V&A

*FINAL WEEKS*
JULIA MARGARET CAMERON
Until 21 February 2016

Don’t miss seeing this popular photography exhibition which is due to close this month. Julia Margaret Cameron (1815-1879) was one of the most important and innovative photographers of the 19th century. To mark the bicentenary of her birth,we are showcasing more than 100 of her photographs from the Museum collection.
Read more
Admission free #JuliaMargaretCameron
Supported by The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation
This donation was made possible by the American Friends of the V&A

Victoria and Albert Museum
 
BEJEWELLED TREASURES:
THE AL THANI COLLECTION 
*Now until 10 April*
Sponsored by Wartski
The Porter Gallery

‘The best jewellery box in the world’ The Guardian
Over one hundred exceptional jewels, jewelled artefacts and jades explore tradition and modernity in Indian jewellery. Discover these spectacular objects from the early 17th century to the present day, drawn from a single private collection for an additional two weeks, as the exhibition will remain open throughout the full school Easter holiday period. Read more and book

V&A Members go free
#BejewelledTreasures 

 *OPENING THIS MONTH*
CURTAIN UP: CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF THEATRE IN LONDON AND NEW YORK
9 February – 31 August
In association with MasterCard
Delve into the world of plays, musicals and productions to explore the craft and collaboration that creates spectacular international theatre. Curtain Up showcases material from The Phantom of the Opera, A Chorus Line and Wolf Hall
, and highlights outstanding practitioners. Read more
Admission free
#CurtainUp
This display is organised by the Victoria and Albert Museum and The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.
In partnership with the Society of London Theatre
EUROPE FESTIVAL:
LOVE AND LIAISONS
Friday 12 February, 18.00 – 22.00 
Saturday 13 – Sunday 21 February, 10.00 17.00
Join our week-long celebration of the new Europe Galleries 1600-1815. The programme begins with a Valentine’s night of performances, talks, and tours, including electro-Baroque d-js, silent speed dating, courtly dance, historic perfumes and love tokens. It continues with a week of family activities and games exploring the theme of Carnival and Masquerade. Read more
Free, drop in

  
OLGA KURYLENKOFriday 12 February, 18.30 – 19.30

Join leading actress Olga Kurylenko in conversation with journalist and filmmaker Davina Catt. Olga will discuss her career as a leading lady across big budget productions and avant-guarde cinema, and also her humanitarian work.
Read more and book

 
 WOMEN PIONEERS IN PHOTOGRAPHY
1850 – 1950

Saturday 20 February, 
11.00 – 16.00

Inspired by the current Julia Margaret Cameron exhibition, explore a century of outstanding contributions to photography by women.
Read more and book

Supported by The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation.
This donation was made possible by the American Friends of the V&A
 NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF LGBT - LONDON HUB
Saturday 6 February,
11.00 – 17.45

Celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans History Month with usJoin us for a day of events exploring a range of exciting LGBT stories.Read more
Free, drop in
 
FEBRUARY HALF-TERM ACTIVITIES
Saturday 13 – Sunday 21 February
Be inspired by our new Europe 1600 – 1815 galleries during this February half-term. Create your own mask design, experience an interactive performance and compose your own soundscape to recreate the atmosphere depicted in 'The Ommegang' painting dated 1616. Read more
Free, drop in
 VALENTINE'S DAY AT THE V&A SHOP
The V&A Shop brings with it a little warmth and love as Valentine's Day arrives. Browse our selection of unique cards to put a smile on a face, spoil a loveable lady with our curated designer jewellery collection or give the gift of knowledge with one of our books. Read more 

V&A SANCTUARY FOR TEACHERS: VIDEO ART
Friday 12 February, 17.45 – 20.30
Work with our video artist in residence, Jamie Jenkinson, to explore the concept of visual trickery and illusion in film and video. Visit his studio to find out more about his practice before trying a series of filming techniques using readily accessible technology, such as mobile phones and iPads. Read more and book

  
MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD
FEBRUARY HALF-TERM
To mark 60 years since the launch of ‘Play-doh’, one of the most enduring of childhood products, the V&A Museum of Childhood are exploring by squish, squash and squelching this half term. Shape your own adventure with a range of family friendly activities celebrating this versatile material
Read more 
 THE ROYAL ACADEMY 
PAINTING THE MODERN GARDEN: MONET TO MATISSE
Until 20 April 2016


Chart the emergence of the garden as a major subject in art, from Monet to Matisse, via CĂ©zanne, Van Gogh, Klimt and Kandinsky, at the RA’s next landmark exhibition. Read more



 NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
VOGUE 100: A CENTURY OF STYLE
11 February – 22 May 2016
Vogue 100 will showcase the remarkable range of photography commissioned by British Voguesince 1916 and tell the story of one of the most influential fashion magazines in the world.
Read more


February at the Natural History Museum

Voyage through our solar system
Credit: NASA; JPL; PIRL; University of Arizona//Michael Benson, Kinetikon Pictures.
Credit: NASA; JPL; PIRL; University of Arizona//Michael Benson, Kinetikon Pictures. 
Glimpse ice-covered seas on frozen moons, gas-giant planets with storms larger than Earth, glaciers made of frozen nitrogen and volcanoes the size of Britain in our new photography exhibition, Otherworlds: Visions of our Solar System.
Watch a short video with exhibition artist, Michael Benson to see how he creates the images using raw data from space missions.
Until 15 May
Book exhibition tickets
Welsh dragon thief is oldest known Jurassic dinosaur
© Richard Nicholls_2015
© Richard Nicholls_2015
The first Jurassic dinosaur fossil ever found in Wales has been indentified as a new dinosaur species.Dracoraptor hanigani is the earliest known dinosaur from the Jurassic Period. 
Read the story
Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition extended 
© Wim van de Heever
© Wim van de Heever
You now have more time to see a leopard’s leap, a glowing octopus from the deep and more incredible images from the world-renowned competition. 

Until 2 May

Enter our free prize draw for a chance to win a trip to Tanzania with Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti and Abercrombie & Kent.

Book exhibition tickets
Lates – where do we come from? 
Museum experts ask where we come from and how we got here in this month's human evolution-themed Lates. Discover the differences between Neanderthals and hominins, take part in a dig or just relax with fellowHomo sapiens in one of our bars.

Free entry. Some activities ticketed.
Friday 26 February, 18.00-22.00
Find out more
Sensational Butterflies emerging soon 
Our annual live tropical butterfly house will be back on the Museum’s East Lawn from Thursday 24 March. This year see even more butterflies than ever before.

Opens 24 March
Book advance tickets
Human Evolution
Meet your ancient relatives, trace the origins and evolution of our species, and explore what makes us human in the new Human Evolution gallery.


Find out more
Plan your visit
The Museum is evolving to enhance your experience. Keep up to date with gallery changes and closures and don't miss out on our exciting exhibitions, galleries and events.
Dinosaurs will be open for half-term from 13-21 February.
Plan your visit
For the early birds and bees 
Unique Valentine’s gift ideas for the one you love, from kissing bird pendants to honey bee bangles.
Shop now
Our friends at the BFI
Enjoy family-friendly film screenings and workshops at the BFI. Highlights include the beautifully animated Winnie The Pooh, plus a wonderful selection of Disney treats, from The Princess and The Frog to The Ballad of Nessie.
Joint adult and children tickets are just £10.
Kids eat for free offer at The Riverfront.
Book tickets

Lost in London - Last year more than 300 000 Items were left on the transport networks of the capital

A prosthetic leg, a life-sized Spiderman doll and "enough musical instruments to form a band" have been lost on London's travel network.
More than 300,000 items were left on the capital's trains and buses last year as Transport for London received a record haul of missing goods.
Aside from the more peculiar finds, thousands of tablets, umbrellas and wallets were also handed in to TFL's lost property office - described as a "wonder emporium" by manager Paul Cowan.
Alongside the daily haul of around 150 mobile phones, the office has received a full-size house carpet, a judge's wig and a hoard of musical instruments including drum kits.
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Only 22 per cent of lost property was reunited with its rightful owner last year
Last year 22% of the 302,714 items handed in were returned to their rightful owners including a brown envelope containing £15,000 and an urn of ashes that had been kept by workers at the lost property office for almost seven years.
Mr Cowan, who calls his job "one of the best", said the number of items lost on the network would increase as more passengers used the service.
"The number of properties lost is fascinating, every day we're getting well over 1,200 items of property found across the network, it's staggering," he said. "The volume continues to go up as the number of people living and travelling in London increases."
"Every item that comes in here has a definite story behind it. There's the usual suspects, umbrellas, hundreds of books and documents and travel passes, but dispersed amongst that there is all the things that make you scratch your head, what were they doing carrying that or what were they doing with it.
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Last year over 300,000 items were handed in
"We've had urns of ashes come through, bundles of notes, we've got enough musical instruments, guitars and trumpets and flutes and clarinets, even drum kits to start our own band."
All items handed in to TFL end up at the three-storey building next to Baker Street station and are stored for three months before being donated to charity, sent to auction or recycled.
Each year thousands of umbrellas, items of clothing and bags are donated to the British Red Cross, Scope and the Salvation Army through the scheme.
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The number of items lost on the Tube is only expected to rise as more people use the service
Mr Cowan said: "There are many successes and it is one of the most gratifying parts of the jobs, because it is not just us involved. It could be the cleaner who finds the item on a train or a bus, it could be another passenger, it could be a member of TFL staff."
"Getting the item back to the customer and seeing the smile on their face is fantastic."
Additional reporting PA