Exhibitions
Sargent: The Watercolours
The first UK show in nearly 100 years devoted to watercolours by the American artist, John Singer Sargent (1856–1925). Renowned as the portraitist of his generation, Sargent also devoted time to developing his watercolours, which dazzle with light and colour, demonstrating a technical brilliance and striking individuality. This exhibition brings together over 80 watercolours to reveal Sargent’s idiosyncratic view of the world and the scale of his achievement.
21 June – 8 October 2017
The Private Made Public: Antonio de Pereda
On display is Antonio de Pereda’s Two Figures at a Table with Kitchen Utensils (1631-1678), on loan from Penrhyn Castle (National Trust). A contemporary of Velázquez, Pereda is one of the finest still-life painters of the Spanish Golden Age and his Kitchen Scene is filled with exquisite details, which visitors will be able to explore at close quarters.
Until 8 October 2017
Special Events
Gallery Lates
6–10pm, £12 Standard, £10 Concessions and Friends
Every month we’re bringing you specially themed Friday Lates that offer the chance to experience the Gallery in an entirely unique way. Start your weekend with exclusive after-hours access to exhibitions, performances, music, workshops and talks – all with a drink in-hand.
Female of the Species
1 September
Join us for a night celebrating deadly females, dangerous women and queen bees. Taking inspiration from Cristofano Allori’s Judith, come and discover the unsung sheroes of time gone by with feminist art project, Herstory and draw Mother Nature’s matriarchs with live animal drawing from Wild Life Drawing.
Dulwich Pavilion
This summer we celebrate 200 years since we first opened to the public with the very first Dulwich Pavilion. The Dulwich Pavilion and Pavilion Bar is open all summer, including late night openings Thursdays and Sundays for you to relax and enjoy a drink.
2 June – 8 October 2017
Lectures & Talks
Sargent’s Watercolours with Lachlan Goudie and Ben Street
6 September, 7pm, £12 Standard, £10 Friends
Lachlan Goudie, award-winning artist and judge on the BBC’s The Big Painting Challenge will be in-conversation with art historian, Ben Street, discussing the technique, methodology and historical context behind Sargent’s watercolours.
Dulwich Books presents Marion Deuchars and Kassia St Clair on Colour
27 September, 7pm – 8:30pm, £12 Standard, £10 Friends
What makes a colour work? What do colours mean to artists and cultures? What are the histories of our favourite colours and what can they tell us about the world? Join us as Kassia St Clair and Marion Deuchars discuss the shades and hues of this fascinating subject.
Contextual Lecture Series: Continental Culture: the road to Europe
All lectures, Tuesday mornings 10.30 – 11.30am, £12, £10 Friends
Throughout this series we examine facets of European development, social and political unrest and the remapping of a continent. The past 200 years Europe has been fraught with war, disease and struggle but from the darkness came cultural progression and political innovation that have changed art, politics and the world.
Dr Simon Usherwood
Britain and the EU
12 September
As the UK negotiates its departure from the European Union, this lecture reflects both on the dynamics of the relationship and on the future direction it might take.
Stephen Howlett
George Peabody: An American Philanthropist Responds to Poverty in Victorian London
26 September
The story of the Peabody Trust is a social history of London from Victorian times through wartime Britain into the 21st century.
Gallery Film
Each sociable evening includes a complimentary glass of wine, snacks and film notes. Bar opens at 7.00pm. Screenings at 7.30pm. Linbury Room. £9; £7 Friends.
The Way We Were
11 September
Family Events
Mini Masterpieces
Experience the delights of our Collection with your child aged 6-18 months. Enjoy an informal, child-friendly gallery visit followed by a hands-on, sensory art session tailored for you and your baby. Collection-based themes change monthly – come to one or all!
10am – 11am and 11.30am – 12.30pm. £12 per adult & child
Windows and Light: Exploring Architecture
5 & 21 September
Wild Life Drawing: Close Encounters of a Furry Kind
2 – 4pm Adult Course (£25 Adult)
11am – 1pm Family Course (£20 Adult, £20 Child)
How many dogs can you find in our Permanent Collection? More than you would initially think. These animals have been a great source of inspiration, especially for Dutch landscape artists. We will bring British Lupine dogs on site for some special life drawing sessions. Accompanied by an artist and canine behavioural scientist, enhance your skills and learn about the lives of these extraordinary dogs up close.
Art Sundays
2-4pm, £3 per child, Suggested ages: 3yrs+
Sunday is art day! Join us every week for our drop-in workshops and make something special to take home; think Finnish headdresses, lanterns to mark Diwali, and pocket terrariums.
Sargent Pocket Landscape
3 September
Taking inspiration from Sargent’s watercolour landscapes, create a small 3D landscape you can carry around in your pocket!
Bushcraft Landscape Stamps
10 September
Inspired by Sargent: The Watercolours, collect patterns, find textures and use natural objects from the gallery gardens to make prints.
City Atlas
17 September
Using the popular children’s book, ‘City Atlas’, as a guide, design an icon to represent a place special to you and print it on a canvas bag to take home.
Artistic Geometry
24 September
Create simplified, geometrical patterns inspired by architecture.
Practical Art
Practical Art for Young People
For 7-10yrs
Sargent: Exploring Watercolours
Five Wednesdays from 20 September – 18 October, 4.30 – 6pm, £75 for the five sessions
Taking inspiration from Sargent’s watercolour paintings, explore a different subject each week, using watercolours in fun and experimental ways! Your focus will include: book making, paintings from nature, and mark making.
Off The Wall
Discuss, debate and have your say!
Meet new people, work with a professional artist and engage in lively discussion as you challenge the role of galleries for young people today. Working in the Gallery you will explore univeral themes such as love, power, beauty and equality using our Permanent Collection and temporary exhibitions as your stimuli. Join us as we find new and creative ways to express these ideas – it’s your space and your voice!
Saturday 16 September. 2 – 4pm. Free
To book your place contact thecreatives@dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk