from the National Portrait Gallery, London
David Hockney (British, b. 1937). Sir George William Langham Christie; (Patricia) Mary (née Nicholson), Lady Christie, 2002. Watercolor, 48 x 36 in. National Portrait Gallery, London. Commissioned and given by the artist, 2002. © David Hockney 2002.
February 4 – May 7, 2023
Located on the third floor of The Baker Museum
This groundbreaking exhibition presents masterpieces from the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London, arguing that ideas of love and desire have been critical to the development of portraiture from the 16th century to the present day. Portraits provide visual records of relationships, are used to memorialize dead or absent lovers and have often been given as love tokens. Featured artists include Sir Joshua Reynolds, Angelica Kauffman, Man Ray, Lee Miller, David Hockney and others.
At the heart of this exhibition are a series of real-life love stories, from the English Renaissance to today, grouped thematically. Each of the love stories sheds light on a different aspect of romantic love and the role of portraits within it, from images that capture an artist’s obsession with their muse to those that record tragic love affairs or celebrate the triumph of love against the odds.
The National Portrait Gallery, London, was founded in 1856 and holds the most extensive collection of portraits in the world. The collection explores ideas of social change, personal development and the power and creativity of individuals. The gallery is dedicated to the goal of exploring the universal questions of biography, diversity and fame that lie at the heart of issues of identity and achievement.
Visit the Exhibition
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Museum Admission
Selected Works
Sir Joshua Reynolds (British, 1723-1792). David Garrick and Eva Maria Garrick, 1772-73. Oil on canvas, 55 1/4 x 66 3/4 in. National Portrait Gallery, London. Purchased, 1981. © National Portrait Gallery, London.
Thomas Gainsborough (British, 1727-1788). Sarah Kirby (née Bull); (John) Joshua Kirby, c. 1751-52. Oil on canvas, 30 1/4 x 25 1/8 in. National Portrait Gallery, London. Purchased, 1905. © National Portrait Gallery, London.
E.O. Hoppé (British, b. Germany, 1878-1972). Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, 1912. Vintage silver bromide print, 8 x 5 3/4 in. National Portrait Gallery, London. Given by Terence Pepper, 2010. © National Portrait Gallery, London.
George Frederic Watts (British, 1817-1904). Ellen Terry (‘Choosing’), 1864. Oil on strawboard mounted on Gatorfoam, 18 1/2 x 13 3/4 in. National Portrait Gallery, London. Accepted in lieu of tax by H.M. Government and allocated to the Gallery, 1975. © National Portrait Gallery, London.
Kenneth Green (British, 1913-1976). Peter Pears; Benjamin Britten, 1943. Oil on canvas, 21 1/8 x 38 1/8 in. National Portrait Gallery, London. Given by Mrs. Mary Behrend, 1973. © National Portrait Gallery, London.
Sir Anthony van Dyck (Flemish, 1599-1641). Venetia, Lady Digby, c. 1633-34. Oil on canvas, 39 3/4 x 31 1/2 in. National Portrait Gallery, London. Purchased with help from the Pilgrim Trust, 1984. © National Portrait Gallery, London.
Humphrey Ocean (British, b. 1951). Linda McCartney; Paul McCartney, May 1976. Bromide fiber print, 7 3/4 x 11 1/2 in. National Portrait Gallery, London. Given by Humphrey Ocean (Humphrey Anthony Erdeswick Butler-Bowdon), 2006. © National Portrait Gallery, London.
Associated Events
Love Stories from the National Portrait Gallery, London is organized by the National Portrait Gallery, London, and is curated by Dr. Lucy Peltz. The presentation of this exhibition at Artis—Naples, The Baker Museum is curated by Courtney McNeil, museum director and chief curator.
The Artis—Naples exhibition is generously sponsored by the Collier County Tourist Development Council and Waterside Shops.
