A small selection of favourites from its huge and eclectic collection, from Duccio in about 1310 to Joseph Wright of Derby and a gem from Thomas Jones.
da Vinci
Daughter of the King of Sparta, abducted as a child by Theseus, rescued by her brothers, married to the King of Sparta, then given as a bribe in a divine beauty contest.
Related optical effects that combine to give the impression of depth. Explored in Renaissance paintings, and some from the 19th century.
Looking at paintings that are maps, and maps that are paintings, including Leonardo da Vinci’s, and the first map of Australia from 1547.
The Last Supper, Veronese’s series of New Testament feasts leading to his appearance before the Inquisition, and Belshazzar’s Feast.
He trained alongside Leonardo, painted frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, and taught the young Raphael, as well as being a great painter.
Long before any person took to the air, artists were already imagining World Views of major land battles and the countryside around them.
From depth cues used by painters in ancient times, through the many advances in the Northern Renaissance, to modern photographic projections.
Brunelleschi’s geometry, Masaccio’s technique and vision, Alberti’s initial and popular account, followed by a comprehensive account by Piero della Francesca.
Explaining shade, attached and cast shadows seen in paintings. While the first two have been generally painted faithfully, cast shadows are more complicated.