Too many writing projects are competing for my attention so I have had to take a new approach to exhibition reviews to catch up! So here goes April’s Museum Dump…
The Last Caravaggio – The National Gallery – 19 April – 21 July 2024.
The 10th May sees a BIG birthday for the National Gallery as it hits 200 years young. Definitely time to celebrate with a visit whether you are a frequent visitor or have (gasp) never been before. If you visit before the end of July then take your time to seek out ‘The Last Caravaggio’.
The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula (1618) is a painting of the death of Saint Ursula killed by the Huns after she and her 11,000 virgin companions were captured. After the death of her followers the King of the Huns was overcome with Saint Ursula’s beauty and gave her the option of marriage (to him) or death.
The painting was only attributed to Caravaggio in the 1980s following the discovery of a letter discussing the commission. The painting comes to London for the first time in 20 years and alongside you can see the letter, the vital evidence, that links the two. A reminder to always keep a hold of your paperwork!
On the press view Curator Francesca Whitlum-Cooper called Caravaggio’s work a ‘symphony of hands’ – Saint Ursula her pale alabaster face is already losing its life force as the arrow pierces her chest. Her hands frame the wound as her head bows in acceptance and realisation of death. A bystander’s hand, only discovered after conservation of the painting, jumps out of the dark recesses begging for a halt to proceedings but too late. Is the final hand of the guard to the right of Saint Ursula there to catch her as she falls? A final act of compassion in death.
Don’t miss – It is a one room exhibition and free so really no excuses to miss this one. The exhibition offers a chance to observe Caravaggio in his last days as his self portrait also appears. The bearded onlooker to the right of Saint Ursula gazes off into the light, can he not bear to watch the violence or does he look for the Papal pardon he so desperately wanted after committing the murder Ranuccio Tommasoni?
There is drama a-plenty in the light and shade and well worth visiting. Don’t believe me? Then listen to Johnny Flynn as Dickie Greenleaf in the latest Netflix offering Ripley who encourages Andrew Scott playing Tom Ripley to seek out Caravaggio whilst he is in Italy. He really should have known it was only ever going to end one way….
Can’t get to the National Gallery? Then take a listen to this BBC Front Row programme dedicated to the British institution on its bicentenary with interviews with director Gabriele Finaldi, artists and those who are lucky enough to work behind the scenes on some of the world’s greatest paintings.
Victorian Radicals: From the Pre-Raphaelites to the Arts and Crafts Movement – Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery – 10 February – 31 October 2024.
As Birmingham Council announces looming cuts to cash strapped Birmingham it is 100% the right time for a visit to the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery to enjoy the wonderful Victorian Radicals exhibition. Still not fully open due to ongoing maintenance works Birmingham Museums Trust have been able to open up the Gas Hall for the homecoming of their most prized collection.
Following an award winning tour of the US, visiting seven venues and being seen by 168,000 visitors, the Birmingham travellers are ready for their triumphant return. There is a huge range of objects to see, from Minton floor tiles displayed in the Great Exhibition of 1851 to metalware, jewellery, costumes and stained glass. Also not forgetting artworks by the likes of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Ford Madox Brown, John Everett Millais and William Holman Hunt.
Don’t miss – The marble portrait of John Everett Millais by Alexander Munro on public display in Birmingham for the first time, acquired for the city’s collection in 2020 and what a dreamboat he makes. No one will ever convince me it was fashionable to display celery in a glass vase but the 1846 celery vase by the Belmont Glass Works begs to differ. Also take your time with Ford Maddox Brown’s ‘Work’ (1859-63). Brown’s allegory of labour is full of detail with muscle-bound navvies digging trenches for the city’s new water pipes as a ragged flower-seller hawks their wares.
It is a perfect time to contemplate these Victorian Radicals who looked to the past to imagine a better future. What would they make of Birmingham’s current predicament where the arts (which bring in so many tourists including me) are not seen fit to make the cut. When I visited there was a palpable sense of pride for a city that owns and has space to display beautiful artworks. They are here to bring solace in the present and inspire the future. I’ll take my lead from Ozzy the Bull proudly taking on all-comers at Birmingham New Street Station. Stand your ground, fight the cuts and go see and support Birmingham’s artistic innovators.
Dinosaur rEvolution – Horniman Museum and Gardens – 10 February – 3 November 2024.
The Horniman Museum know how to do dinos and they know how to do family exhibitions. You won’t be disappointed on either front with animatronic dinos, opportunities for dress up, colouring stations, puzzles and chances to get hands on with replica fossils.
Dinosaur rEvolution explores the link between dinos and birds with Luis V Rey graphics to help visitors imagine a world of feathered furry dino friends. Perhaps not as good as some of their previous exhibitions, but there is still plenty to enjoy for dino fans.
Don’t miss – Across from the dino exhibition is their free exhibition exploring the nation’s favourite brew. We loved seeing a cuppa or two and expect conversations around how to make the best cup, one sugar or two. We also enjoyed the ‘Song of Tea’.
The Natural History Gallery is also now closed as the work on their Nature + Love Project begins so you have missed your chance to say goodbye to the famous Horniman Walrus but don’t worry he will be back in 2026. Also keep an eye out for a new Horniman Café with a refurb happening over June and re-opening in July.
I also can’t wait to hear who the new chief executive is! Now that Nick Merriman has left to head up English Heritage it seems to be taking a long time to announce his replacement….What is taking so long?
PS Their lift is also out of action till 28 June!
May Update: A new chief executive has been named! – Gordon Seabright joins Horniman
Hello Brain, The Francis Crick Institute, 2 March – 3 December 2024.
The inner workings of the brain and crochet collide in this free exhibition from The Crick. More astonishing than the fact there are 10 times more neurons (nerve cells) inside your head than people on Earth is the fact there are crafting geniuses out there who love crocheting neurons!
You can get hands-on with the remarkable creations from Neural Knitworks which make for an eye-catching start to the Hello Brain exhibition. The Crick is a remarkable space, as the curators get to talk to the scientists working up stairs on groundbreaking research and then interpret that work for visitors of all ages regardless of your awareness and knowledge of the topics.
I was particularly impressed by their access resources and how curator Holly Cave has interpreted complex ideas with easy read labels and guides.
Don’t miss – Did you know birds sing in their sleep? No, me neither. Take a look at the zebra finch activating their vocal muscles during the day time and at night. Do they improvise songs in their dreams?
Hello Brain shows itself as the interface between cutting-edge science and the real world problems we face, as the study of neurons is helping scientists understand diseases like Parkinson’s and dementia. A perfect place to bring budding scientists who are wondering where that GCSE or A-Level in chemistry and biology might take them.
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Tincture of Museum 