National Gallery to reopen this week – post-lockdown

THIS Wednesday, December 2 the National Gallery will reopen after a brief closure during national lockdown. Visitors will once again be able to visit the much acclaimed Artemisia exhibition in the gallery’s Salisbury rooms, alongside new works by Rosalind Nashashibi, the current artist in residence.

 ‘Saint Catherine of Alexandria’, Artemisia Gentileschi, about 1615-17, oil on canvas

‘Artemisia’, amongst critical acclaim, will be open for an additional four hours daily; available to visit between 9am and 9pm, Monday to Friday, until January 24, 2021; ensuring as many visitors in possible can experience such an extraordinary collection of work. The exhibition showcases a mix of oil paintings, sketches and letters by Artemisia, alongside works by her father and a selection of her contemporaries.

Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy, Artemisia Gentileschi, about 1620-25, oil on canvas

‘Susannah and the Elders’, Artemisia Gentileschi, 1610, oil on canvas

Four new paintings by Rosalind Nashashibi will be exhibited for the first time; paintings under the title ‘An Overflow of Passion snd Sentiment’, that engage with the works of masters like Valázquez and Ribera that hang nearby. These will be on display until February 21, 2021.

Phosphorous Malvolio, Rosalind Nashashibi, 2020, oil on canvas

A Drop of Scent, Rosalind Nashashibi, 2020, oil and charcoal on canvas

The National Gallery’s program of online events, films and features will remain accessible, continuing the free and nation-wide access to much of the Gallery’s resources which lockdown has prompted.

by Connie de Pelet

The National Gallery reopens on Wednesday, December 2