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Van Dyck and Britain at the Linbury Galleries

Tate Britain Explores the Influence of Renowned Flemish Master

Feb 17, 2009 Frances Spiegel

"Van Dyck and Britain" presents the finest and most important paintings produced by van Dyck during his residency in London from his arrival in 1632 to his death in 1641.

Tate Britain, one of London's most popular galleries, is part a family of museums that includes Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool and Tate St. Ives. Tate Britain focuses on British art from the 16th Century to the present day.

Van Dyck and Britain

Flemish-born Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641) made a short six-month visit to London in 1620. He returned in 1632 to take up a post in the court of King Charles I. Van Dyck and Britain explores the artist's work and life in London and his influence on British culture right up to World War I.

The exhibition features more than 130 exhibits, including 60 items by van Dyck together with works by John Hayls, Cornelius Johnson, Daniel Mytens, Robert Peake, Titian, Thomas Gainsborough, John Singer Sargent, Joshua Reynolds and many others.

Van Dyck and Britain,which has been made possible by major loans from the National Trust, the Royal Collection and many other private lenders, is spread over eight rooms. Each gallery represents a different aspect of the artist's life and work. On display are portraits, subject paintings, miniatures, drawings, manuscripts, textiles, costumes and engravings.

The exhibition looks at English painting in the years prior to 1620 and van Dyck's influence during and after his first visit to London. The show features royal portraits produced by the artist between 1632 and 1639. In particular, Room 2 is dominated by the magnificent Charles I on Horseback with M. de St Antoine (1633). In another room visitors will see many of van Dyck's portraits of his patrons, such as Lucy Percy, Countess of Carlisle (1637) as well as a beautiful, but rarely exhibited, Self-Portrait (ca.1640).

Van Dyck's Influence through the Centuries

Van Dyck has continued to influence painters from John Hayls in the 17th Century, to John Singer Sargent in the early 20th Century.

John Hayls's Portrait of a Lady and a Boy, with Pan, (1655-9) shows van Dyck's influence and also has an interesting story. The painting was acquired by Tate in 1995 and this is how it looked then. During conservation, an infrared photograph indicated that the piece had been radically altered at some point in its history. During cleaning, the two Cupids or putti in the top right were revealed. This photo shows the painting after conservation.

Van Dyck and Britain - Public Events and Catalogue

There will be a comprehensive programme of public events linked to this exhibition. In addition, Tate Publishing has produced a 256-page full-colour catalogue edited by Karen Hearn, curator of 16th and 17th Century British Art.

Van Dyck and Britain will show from 18th February to 17th May 2009 and full details can be obtained from Tate Britain.

The copyright of the article Van Dyck and Britain at the Linbury Galleries in Art Galleries/Museums is owned by Frances Spiegel. Permission to republish Van Dyck and Britain at the Linbury Galleries in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Lucy Percy, Countess of Carlisle	Self-Portrait	Portrait of a Lady and a Boy, with Pan
Portrait of a Lady and a Boy, with Pan	Charles I on Horseback with M de St Antoine,