Region’s chance to see work by Da Vinci drawing closer
TICKETS GO ON SALE FOR LOCAL PART OF NATIONAL CELEBRATION
TICKETS are now on sale for an eagerly anticipated North East exhibition offering people the chance to see a collection of 12 drawings by Leonardo da Vinci.
The event takes place at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens from February 1 to May 6 and is part of a national tour to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of the Italian master.
Sunderland is one of 12 UK venues chosen by the Royal Collection Trust to simultaneously host the exhibition, which will feature a total of 144 of his drawings.
They will then be brought together to form part of an exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, together forming the largest exhibition of Leonardo’s work in more than 65 years.
A selection of 80 drawings will then travel to the Queen’s Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse, in November – the largest group of Leonardo’s works ever shown in Scotland.
Keith Merrin, chief executive of Sunderland Culture, delivering the programme at the museum on behalf of Sunderland City Council, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to see the extraordinary drawings of perhaps the world’s most famous artist.
“We’re delighted Sunderland will be hosting part of such a major exhibition and we’re sure it will prove popular throughout the region and beyond.
“The 12 drawings selected for Sunderland reflect a range of Leonardo’s interests – architecture, music, anatomy, engineering, cartography, geology and botany. They also include a range of examples of the drawing materials employed by Leonardo, including pen and ink, red and black chalks, watercolour and metal point.
“The exhibition also presents new information about Leonardo’s working practices and creative process, gathered through scientific research using a range of non-invasive techniques, including ultraviolet imaging, infrared reflectography and X-ray fluorescence.”
Leonardo, who lived from 1452 to 1519, painted some of the most famous images in world art, with The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper among his most famous pieces. A range of artistic projects and programmes, organised by Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, will complement the exhibition.
Jo Cunningham, exhibitions, collections and archive manager at the museum, said: “We’re using the drawings and the high-profile exhibition as a catalyst to inspire and educate through a programme of projects and activities for people of all ages.
“These include a variety of activities, assemblies and workshops for schools and a project with University of Sunderland students working at FabLab and responding to the question, ‘If Leonardo were alive now, what would he create?’”
There is also a family programme which includes a Leonardo-themed week during February half-term from February 18 to 22, Leonardo trails around the museum and a takeover by the Dominic Wilcox Little Inventors project during the Easter holidays. There will also be monthly exhibition sessions for families with children who have additional learning needs or learning disabilities.
An adult learning programme will include a free talk by Martin Clayton, head of prints and drawings at Royal Collection Trust on February 27 at University of Sunderland’s Murray Library Theatre from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, and then a guided tour of the exhibition by him the following day at 11am.
There is also a botanical illustration workshop at the museum on April 27 and life drawing classes exploring the nude, drapery and theatrical costume on March 3, 10, 17 and 24 from 12.45pm to 4.45pm.
■ Tickets for Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing, are £2.50 from www.sunderlandmuseum.org.uk or the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens reception area during opening hours. Entry for under-16s is free, but they will need a ticket.