Gallery Visits London

FREE GUIDED TOUR: Italian Painters (Part II: Cinquecento) + Social

Gentle people, It is my pleasure to invite you to Part II of Italian artists of the National Gallery, and an inebriated evening of socialisation at a nearby bar afterwards. I will be giving a guided tour of the National Gallery to the members of LGBT Culture Lovers group, throughout this year in multiple parts. **\*\*There's no need to have attended previous sessions as I always recap\*\*** ***In the second event of the series, we will be looking at the turn of the century and the early years of cinquecento (1500s).*** Included are **Mantegna, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael**, & many others. I will recap trecento and quattrocento with new artists and paintings. The tour will last around 60 minutes. **And here is the agenda:** * 2pm: (optional) meet at the café inside the National Gallery (Bar Giorgio -- it's right across the Sainsbury Wing entrance) for coffee and croissant and friendly chat * 2:45pm: Meet in the foyer of the National Gallery (Sainsbury Wing Entrance). We will wait for 15 minutes. * 3pm: The tour starts right on the dot. * 4pm-4:30pm: We will head to a bar nearby for socialising and drink the gift of Bacchus. If you are running late, we will in rooms 51-61. I also have included an **optional reading list** for those who might feel inspired by this series of talks and tours and wish to delve deeper into Italian art history and the artists I discuss in Part II. I hope to see you all for any part of this event. J x **Further Resources:** *Artistic theory in Italy, 1450-1600*, Anthony Blunt (Oxford Press: 1940) "[Renaissance in Italy", ](https://www.britannica.com/place/Italy/Early-modern-Italy-16th-to-18th-century)*[Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/place/Italy/Early-modern-Italy-16th-to-18th-century)*, Article "[The Renaissance](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00546tq)", *In Our Time*, BBC Radio, Audio "[Da Vinci in the Sforza Court](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QpQincMI2c)", *The Italian Renaissance Podcast* "[Raphael](https://www.open.edu/openlearn/mod/oucontent/olink.php?id=27310&targetdoc=entry+on+Raphael)", *The Oxford Companion to Western Art*, Book Chapter "[Raphael](https://www.open.edu/openlearn/mod/oucontent/olink.php?id=27310&targetdoc=Vasari%2C+Lives)", Vasari's Lives, Book Chapter "[Michelangelo](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0015vh8)", *In Our Time*, BBC Radio, Audio *The Cambridge Companion to the Italian Renaissance*, ed Michael Wyatt (Cambridge University Press: 2014)

PWYC Lucian Freud Exhibition

[Follow 👉this link👈 to get your ticket for 17:30](https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/exhibitions/2026/lucian-freud-drawing-into-painting) Pay What You Can tickets will become available from Friday 20/02. Social before the exhibition. Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting will be the UK’s first museum exhibition to focus on the artist’s works on paper. The exhibition explores the artist’s lifelong preoccupation with the human face and figure from the 1930s to the early 21st century, focusing on Freud’s mastery of drawing. In addition, a carefully selected group of important paintings will reveal the dynamic dialogue between his practice on paper and on canvas. See comments below for updates.

Visit to Two Temple Place museum for The Weight of Being exhibition.

Curry & Pub Social

Location: Warren Street underground station. Time: 18:00 Cost: £2 meetup fee + your own food & drink. We will take a walk down Drummond Street which is full of Indian food restaurants and decide which one to eat in - I have the final say if we can't decide!!! After eating we'll head to a nearby Pub for a drink and chat.

Stubbs: Portrait of a Horse, National Gallery, Late Night Friday

**Free Event.** #### See the works of the master of horse painting, George Stubbs Step into the world of [George Stubbs](https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/artists/george-stubbs "George Stubbs"), the visionary British painter. Marvel at his monumental portrait of a rearing racehorse, ‘Scrub’. In the 1750s, Stubbs spent 18 months in a remote barn in Horkstow, Lincolnshire. Hidden away, he devoted his time to studying and drawing the anatomy of horses. What resulted was the most thorough study on the subject for over a hundred years. Incredibly, Stubbs’s pictures of horses are still some of the most accurate ever painted, all while capturing their unique characters. In this exhibition, you’ll meet one of these horses, Scrub. Painted by Stubbs around 1762, we see Scrub rearing in a landscape backdrop — notably without a rider. In a nearby room is another monumental horse painting by Stubbs, this time of Scrub’s now famous contemporary, ‘[Whistlejacket](https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/george-stubbs-whistlejacket "George Stubbs | Whistlejacket")’. Painted around the same time, these are two of the first life-size portraits to depict horses without a human presence in British history. The paintings changed the spirit of equine art forever. ‘Stubbs: Portrait of a Horse’ will focus on the creation of ‘Scrub’, which will be joined by other paintings and drawings by the artist. Join us in spring 2026 to get a closer look at Stubbs’s groundbreaking work.

Afternoon Visit to the Courtauld Gallery

**Join us on a visit to the Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, Strand to see original works by Manet, Monet, van Gogh, Cézanne, Degas, Gauguin, Renoir, and Seurat as well as Rubens and Botticelli.** **Entry is £14.00 in advance from** [https://myaccount.courtauld.ac.uk/events](https://myaccount.courtauld.ac.uk/events) *My (David) season ticket allows **free** entry to one companion, so the first person to RSVP could arrange to meet me outside before the event and come in on my ticket.\** RSVPs close one week before the event. The Courtauld’s much-loved permanent collection includes paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture and decorative arts ranging from the Renaissance through to the 20th century. The Gallery is renowned for its remarkable group of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, including the world-famous *[A Bar at the Folies Bergère](https://courtauld.ac.uk/highlights/a-bar-at-the-folies-bergere/)* by Édouard Manet, *[Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear](https://courtauld.ac.uk/highlights/self-portrait-with-bandaged-ear/)* by Vincent van Gogh and the most significant collection of works by Cézanne in the UK. These masterpieces are presented in the Courtauld Gallery’s spectacular LVMH Great Room, one of the largest spaces in Somerset House, alongside works by artists including Degas, Gauguin, Monet, Renoir, Seurat and more. [The Blavatnik Fine Rooms](https://courtauld.ac.uk/gallery/explore-the-blavatnik-fine-rooms/), spanning the Piano Nobile across the whole of the second floor, provide the stunning setting for displaying works from the Renaissance to the 18th century. Highlights include *[Adam and Eve](https://courtauld.ac.uk/highlights/adam-and-eve/)* by Lucas Cranach the Elder, *[The Family of Jan Bruegel the Elder](https://courtauld.ac.uk/highlights/the-family-of-jan-brueghel-the-elder/)* and *The Descent From The Cross* by Peter Paul Rubens, *[The Trinity with Saints](https://courtauld.ac.uk/highlights/the-trinity-with-saints/)* altarpiece by Sandro Botticelli, and *[Landscape with a flight into Egypt](https://courtauld.ac.uk/highlights/landscape-with-the-flight-into-egypt/)* by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. The Ruddock Family Gallery is dedicated to the Courtauld’s important collection of Medieval and Early Renaissance paintings and decorative arts. Rooms devoted to 20th century art and the Bloomsbury Group also showcase lesser-known areas of the collection through rotating displays. *\*This offer is conditional on my attendance and can be withdrawn or cancelled at any time before the event. Anyone who takes up this offer and then cancels, does not attend, or arrives after the agreed meeting time will, at the hosts sole discretion, be excluded from any offers of this nature for any event.*

National Gallery Friday Lates - Free to Attend (Gallery + Pub)

National Gallery Friday Lates offer creativity, inspiration, conversation in a social space where everyone is welcome. Enjoy socialising and discussion inspired by National Gallery's exhibitions, as we head to their Friday Late event to explore ideas about art, culture and society with a talks programme and "Drop & Draw," art activities. Start your weekend in style by visiting world-class exhibitions and discovering the Collection. *** Features: Music & bar Ondaatje Wing Main Hall Drop-in Drawing and Life Drawing Talks & film screenings *** Schedule 7.15 : Group meets to visit displays. 9-11.30 : As a group, we have a few drinks and socialise at a nearby bar, after for drinks. Get to know London's Bohemians, culture seekers & artisans, & discuss the art on display. Meeting 7.15 : At the Sainsbury Wing in the National Gallery. Look to the right when you enter and go up the stairs to level 1, and meet the group near the restaurant. Keep an eye on the photos section which will be posted up with pictures of the meeting spot. Also keep an eye on comments. My number will be displayed in the comments section below. 7.30 : If you are a few minutes late, don't worry, at 7.15, we introduce ourselves and catch up, so you can catch the group just inside the entrance until 7.30. Here, we make acquaintances, and choose which rooms to head off to. *** Extra Info : Keep an eye on the comments throughout the evening. I will post our new location every time we change to a different wing of the gallery. ***

Visit the Mall Galleries!

Come along on Sunday 1st March to visit the Mall Galleries! **About the Mall Galleries** The Mall Galleries is a major contemporary gallery space in the heart of Central London, championing the work of new and established artists. For over 40 years Mall Galleries has played a crucial role in diversifying the practice of figurative art, exploring its boundaries while promoting, inspiring and educating audiences with new exhibitions and interpretations of the contemporary world. The visit should last about 1h 30mins. **Cost** Entry £3 per person for Full Members and £5 per person for everyone else. Art Fund members its £3 (payable by cash or credit card on the day). **Become a Full Member** To become a Full Member (£14 a year), either: \- Pay cash at an event \- Pay via Bank Transfer \(\(TSB Bank plc\, Sort code: 77\-66\-65\, Account no: 00030809, Account name: Cultureseekers)) \- Pay via credit card on the day or in advance \([https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QLAX8AUI](https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QLAX8AUI)) \- Pay via PayPal\, send a payment to general@cultureseekers\.org\, using the ‘Friends & Family’ option Benefits of becoming a Full Member [here...](https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/531979527/) **Afterwards** After we will head to the 'The Silver Cross pub' (at the back), 33 Whitehall for a chat over a drink from 3:30pm. If you can make it, please come to the pub afterwards, as its a great way to meet and get to know others after the visit. Please note, we only wait outside the station for 10 minutes after the advertised meeting time, so please be early or on time. If you can't see us outside the station, please text. Look out for the red and blue 'London Cultureseekers' group sign. Hope to see you there! Robert 07905 901 834 (prefer text) ***On the day, if you can’t make the visit, just change your RSVP to No or text me to say you can’t make it.*** ***Please don’t post any messages in the comments that you can’t make it, as this generates spam for everyone else.*** *Please make sure you are aware of the group rules here before RSVPing -* ***[https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/523578875/Group_Rules/](https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/523578875/Group_Rules/)***

S is for…. Saatchi Gallery at 40 @ Saatchi Gallery

**Join us at the Saatchi Gallery for "THE LONG NOW: Saatchi Gallery at 40" exhibition:** "Celebrating four decades of ground-breaking contemporary art, ***The Long Now*** is an expansive group show presenting new works by iconic artists closely associated with the Gallery’s dynamic history, alongside fresh voices from a new generation. Spanning two floors and nine major exhibition spaces, the exhibition features special commissions, installations, painting and sculpture, and culminates with **Richard Wilson’s iconic *20:50***. A landmark in Saatchi Gallery’s history, *20:50* has been shown at each of the Gallery’s past locations and now, for the first time, is presented on the top floor." **[Click on this link for more info about the exhibition](https://www.saatchigallery.com/exhibition/the-long-now-saatchi-gallery-at-40)**[ ](https://www.saatchigallery.com/exhibition/the-long-now-saatchi-gallery-at-40) **MEET DETAILS:** **FROM 1.45pm: MEET at Pret a Manger (optional)** 35-37 King's Rd, London SW3 4NB, **2.30pm: ENTER THE EXHIBITION** Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, London, SW3 4RY **5.00pm - Late: PUB SOCIAL (optional)** The Surprise-Chelsea 6 Christchurch Terrace, London SW3 4AJ **TICKETS:** **Book your ticket for the 2.30pm slot on 21st of February here:** [Ticket Link](https://www.saatchigallery.com/product/the-long-now) General Admission £18 Concessions £10 **GETTING THERE:** * **TUBE:** The gallery is 3-4 minutes walk from Sloane Square Underground (District and Circle lines) and 20-25 minutes’ walk from Victoria (Victoria, District & Circle lines). * **TRAIN**: The nearest mainline railway station is Victoria.It is 20-25 minutes’ walk from the gallery. **EVENT WHATSAPP GROUP:** **If you are on the 'Going' list only,** please join the event WhatsApp group to help you find the group on the day. **The link will be published a few days before the event.** Please let a host know if your WhatsApp name is different from your Meetup name, otherwise we'll assume you're a spammer! **If you are on the waitlist**, please join the WhatsApp group ONLY if/once space frees up and you are moved to the 'going' list. *Joining this WhatsApp group will make your phone number visible to other members in the group.* **GROUP RULES, PLEASE NOTE:** LoMAZ events are run by volunteers. We limit event numbers as we prefer a smaller, friendlier group. **If you can no longer attend, please change your RSVP as soon as possible.** We remove members from the LoMAZ Meetup group who: * RSVP as ‘Going' but then do not show up (without changing their RSVP) three times in a row. * RSVP as ‘Going' but then change their RSVP to 'No' five times in a row. * Turn up at an event without being on the 'Going' list (i.e. members who have not signed up or are on the waitlist). **Thank you for your interest in the group & being part of LoMAZ.** Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Soho Art Gallery Crawl & Social (FREE)

Hi All, There is a few free late art gallery evenings in Soho - so I thought to create this mellow low key event to see this. Lets meet at the LBF contemporary Gallery [https://www.lbfcontemporary.com/min-woo-nam-the-aftermath](https://www.lbfcontemporary.com/min-woo-nam-the-aftermath) We can visit the following galleries in crawl... 1\. LBF 2\. Gillian Jason 3\. TBC 4.TBC End at the Blue Post - top floor pub for reflection [https://maps.app.goo.gl/HTPM6jWKMQmwmUf5A](https://maps.app.goo.gl/HTPM6jWKMQmwmUf5A) Also Optional late Jazz nearby Everyone is welcome to join and leave at any time Cheers I will be dressed in a long black coat, navy trousers, green beanie hat, inside the LBF Gallery - will write in the comments

2 Free Exhibitions focusing on New York and the American West followed by tea.

First, we will visit the American West, an exhibition featuring the work of Richard Avedon. These images, which picture the heart and soul of hardscrabble, working-class America, represented a significant new development in his work. Avedon spent five years, from 1979 to 1984, travelling to twenty-one US states. He conducted more than a thousand sittings, finally producing 126 editioned images, 21 of which are on view at this exhibition. From this exhibition, we shall take a short walk to the next gallery for another exhibition with an American theme. New York - all seasons & Summer Still Lifes : Garner took his first US pictures in October 1973 in Richmond, Virginia. In 1976, he made his first pictures in Miami, then in 1977 in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. This exhibition is a selection of colour images made between 2000 and 2018 in New York. At the same time, we will view a small collection of his Summer Still Life collection, taken in the south of France in the summers of 1983 and 1984. Please note that these free exhibitions at commercial galleries are not large but are always very well curated and presented. We should expect to spend around 30 to 40 minutes at each. If we finish early, there are numerous galleries in the area, and we can pick another one or two to visit depending on timings. I already have a note of what's on. After this exhibitions, the meetup ends, but it would be great if most if not all of us, stay for an entirely optional tea, drink, or snack in one of the many establishments in the area. This will offer a great opportunity to relax and chat socially after what should be an interesting afternoon. Depending on numbers, this can possibly be Sotheby's, which is not expensive for tea and cake or another establishment. The exhibitions are free, but the usual £1.50 group maintenance fee applies and is non refundable. Please note that Meetup now adds about £0.60 to this as well. (If you pay cash on the day, it’s £2.50). As always, you are participating at your own risk. We would appreciate it if you changed your RSVP no more than 2 days before the event should you find you can no longer attend. No shows or cancellations on the day may result in you being removed from the group.

Visit the Islington Museum!

Come along on Saturday 28th February for a visit to the Islington Museum! **About the museum** The Islington Museum is a local history museum that opened in 2008. It houses objects across nine themes on local and social history: childhood, food and drink, fashion, leisure, healthcare, radicals, caring, home and wartime. Amongst the items on display are a bust of [Vladimir Lenin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Lenin "Vladimir Lenin"), who spent time in London between 1902-1911 and worked in Clerkenwell. Also on display are items by the playwright [Joe Orton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Orton), who lived in Islington. **Cost** Entry is free! The visit is self-guiding. **Become a Full Member** To become a Full Member (£14 a year) either: \- Pay cash at an event \- Pay via Bank Transfer \(TSB Bank plc\, Sort code: 77\-66\-65\, Account no: 00030809, Account name: Cultureseekers) \- Pay via credit card on the day or in advance \([https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QLAX8AUI](https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QLAX8AUI)) \- Pay via PayPal\, send a payment to general@cultureseekers\.org\, using the ‘Friends & Family’ option **Afterwards** After we will head to 'The Sekforde pub' 34 Sekforde Street, from 4:00pm for a chat over a drink. If you can make it, please come to the pub afterwards, as it’s a great way to meet and get to know others after the visit. Please note, we only wait outside the station for 10 minutes after the advertised meeting time, so please be early or on time. If you can't see us outside the station, please text. Look out for the red and blue 'London Cultureseekers' group sign. Hope to see you there! Robert 07905 901 834 (prefer text) or email: [general@cultureseekers.org](general@cultureseekers.org) ***On the day, if you can’t make the trip, just change your RSVP to No or text me to say you can’t make it.*** ***Please don’t post any messages in the comments that you can’t make it, as this generates spam for everyone else.*** ***Please make sure you are aware of the group rules here before RSVPing - [https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/523578875/Group_Rules/](https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/523578875/Group_Rules/)***