Portraits from the Uffizi at Dulwich
Jul 10th, 2007, 11:43 AM
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Portraits from the Uffizi at Dulwich
Has anyone seen this exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery in London? I'd like to see it, but I don't think I can make it to London before it closes. Just wondering if I should prioritize this against other possible plans (see Windsor post, for example).
Jul 10th, 2007, 09:10 PM
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I'm replying to provoke someone else to. I've not seen it (Dulwich is a terrific slog), but:
Art critics are, as a breed, astonishingly uncritical. I mean they're great at whining that governments aren't squandering enough taxpayers' money on their hobby, or at slagging off artists they don't like.
But they rarely criticise exhibitions. Indeed since most think their role is to lobby constantly for more money, it's sort of disloyal for them to point out how badly much of it's spent. So it's noteworthy that I've not read a single review of this exhibition that comes down to saying the critic really, really enjoyed the experience.
Most just batter on about how impossible it is to see these paintings in Florence. Most of the 'faint praise' crits don't seem to be online: but this is about the most favourable I can find. I wouldn't trudge all that way on the basis of http://tinyurl.com/2z9ea5
Art critics are, as a breed, astonishingly uncritical. I mean they're great at whining that governments aren't squandering enough taxpayers' money on their hobby, or at slagging off artists they don't like.
But they rarely criticise exhibitions. Indeed since most think their role is to lobby constantly for more money, it's sort of disloyal for them to point out how badly much of it's spent. So it's noteworthy that I've not read a single review of this exhibition that comes down to saying the critic really, really enjoyed the experience.
Most just batter on about how impossible it is to see these paintings in Florence. Most of the 'faint praise' crits don't seem to be online: but this is about the most favourable I can find. I wouldn't trudge all that way on the basis of http://tinyurl.com/2z9ea5
Jul 11th, 2007, 10:14 AM
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I went last weekend. The Dulwich Picture Gallery is very interesting, especially if you take the 3 pm tour and the guide tells you more about the museum and how it came to be the first art museum in the UK open to the public. But I would have to say that exhibit of artist self portraits would not be the hightlight. Just not enough context to each piece. I usually love museums or exhibits that try to tell you more about the artist and what about him or her makes his or her art what it is. (I love the Picasso museum in Paris for that reason.) And while technically it is "in" London, it is a commuter train into one of London's "villages" that are more like suburbs and a 10 or 15 minute walk. Not a bad outing but I am not sure I would make a point of getting out there except I live in London now. I have never been to Windsor but I were choosing I would pick Windsor over Dulwich Picture Gallery. If you want art in London I would think you could not exhaust yourself in the bigger central museums.
Jul 11th, 2007, 10:17 AM
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I meant to say also that you might consider instead the current exhibit at the Royal Academy "Impressionists by the Sea". I love that venue (and loved an exhibit earlier this year "Citizens and Kings"
. I have not actually seen this exhibit but am saving it for when a friend visits me later this summer. You could "pop in" the RA and do that exhibit while you were out another day and still have time for a day to Windsor.
. I have not actually seen this exhibit but am saving it for when a friend visits me later this summer. You could "pop in" the RA and do that exhibit while you were out another day and still have time for a day to Windsor.
Jul 11th, 2007, 03:32 PM
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Thank you. I love the RA and definitely want to see the Impressionist exhibition, but I have more time for that. I would like to see Dulwich at some point, but it may have to be later, when I can get in free anyway!
Aug 9th, 2007, 02:20 PM
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laurie ann (or Joe) - Have you gone to see the Impressionist by the Sea show at the RA yet? Wnat to get some feedback on it.
Also, I'm debating whether it's worth a trip to visit Dulwich. I know the Uffizi show is over, but I guess there're some Old Masters at the Dulwich.
Also, I'm debating whether it's worth a trip to visit Dulwich. I know the Uffizi show is over, but I guess there're some Old Masters at the Dulwich.
Aug 13th, 2007, 12:51 AM
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Haven't seen Impressionists by the Sea yet. Dulwich is a nice little museum and worth stopping in if you are in the area, but I am not sure worth a special trip if you don't live in London. The building and collection have an interesting history, collected for a single French collector who lost them in the French revolution, the building designed to hold exactly this collection as the first public art museum in Britain, etc. Be sure to time your visit for one of the guided tours of the gallery which explain it all (I went to 3 pm on a Sunday). You can also enjoy the little village of Dulwich and a few cute shops and restaurants which is a short walk away.
