The capital's must-see Spring exhibitions

By Daralyn Danns and Niki Chesworth, Evening Standard 25.03.08

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From Renoir and Picasso to Tutankhamun to the Terracotta Army, Daralyn Danns and Niki Chesworth check out the must-see exhibitions this Easter.

Renoir at the Theatre
Pierre-Auguste Renoir's La Loge (The Theatre Box), 1874 - a masterpiece of Impressionist painting - is one of the most famous works in the Courtauld Gallery's Looking At La Lodge exhibition of elegant Parisians.
Where: The Courtauld Gallery, Somerset House, Strand, WC2.
When: Until 25 May, 10am-6pm (last admission 5.30pm).
Admission: £5.
Info: 020 7848 2526 or www.courtauld.ac.uk

From Russia
Exploring 'the fascinating exchange' which existed between French and Russian art during a period of turmoil from 1870-1925, this landmark exhibition of over 120 master paintings includes stunning works by Monet, Renoir, Gauguin, Matisse and Picasso.
Where: Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1.
When: Until 18 Apr, 10am-6pm (10pm Sat).
Admission: Adults £11, 12-18s £4.
Info: 0870 848 8484 or www.royalacademy.org.uk

Brilliant Women
This exhibition looks at the 'Bluestocking' circle of British women writers, artists and thinkers who pushed the boundaries of what women could achieve in the 18th century.
Where: Porter Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Place, WC2.
When: Until 15 Jun, 10am-6pm (9pm Thur and Fri).
Admission: Free.
Info: 020 7312 2463 or www.npg.org.uk

Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs
Time is running out to get tickets for one of London's most popular exhibitions.
Where: The Bubble Exhibition Space at The O2, Drawdock Rd, Greenwich, SE10.
When: Until 31 Aug.
Admission: Mon-Thur, adults £15, 5-15s £7.50. Fri-Sun, £20/£10.
Info: 0871 984 0002 or www.theo2.co.uk

Pompeo Batoni 1708-1787
In his day, he was Rome'smost talked about painter - Italy's last Old Master - who recorded international travellers' visits to Italy on the Grand Tour in a series of portraits.
Where: Sainsbury Wing, The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, W1.
When: Until 18 May, 10am-6pm (9pm Weds).
Admission: Adults £8, 12-18s £4.
Info: 020 7747 2885 or www.nationalgallery.org.uk

Duchamp, Man Ray and Picabia
These three made a lasting impression on modern and contemporary art. Includes unusual exhibits such as Marcel Duchamp's urinal... Also showing: Here We Dance - using bodies to examine the idea of community and politics.
Where: Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1.
When: Both exhibitions until 26 May, 10am-6pm(10pm Fri and Sat).
Admission: Here We Dance, free. Duchamp, Man Ray and Picabia, £11.
Info: 020 7887 8888 or www.tate.org.uk

Peter Doig + Camden Town
Work from the last two decades byDoig - a 'latter-day Turner' - as well as The Modern Painters exhibition of The Camden Town Group - an insight into the bustling modern metropolis of London in the 1910s depicted in post-impressionism works.
Where: Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1.
When: Until 27 Apr, 10am-5.50pm (10pm on first Fri of each month).
Admission: Doig. £8. Modern Painters £9.
Info: 020 7887 8888 or www.tate.org.uk/britain

Laughing in a Foreign Language
Humour in contemporary art - in the form of more than 70 videos, photographs and installations. (Note: some works are of an adult nature). It is a joint show with Alexander Rodchenko: Revolution in Photography. Check out the free outdoor projects.
Where: Hayward Gallery, Southbank, SE1.
When: Until 13 Apr (Rodchenko until 27 Apr).
Admission: £9, under 16s £4.50, under 12s free (allows access to both exhibitions).
Info: 0871 663 2500 or www.southbankcentre.co.uk

Martian Museum of Terrestrial Art
The idea is that anthropologists from outer space land on earth and try to understand humans by examining contemporary art. Featuring some 150 works by over 100 artists the exhibition presents them as artefacts - as thought these objects have a real use.
Where: Barbican Art Gallery, Level 3, The Barbican, Silk Street, EC2.
When: Until 18 May, 11am-8pm (6pm Tues & Weds)
Admission: £8.
Info: 020 7638 8891 or www.barbican.org.uk

Treasures from the Royal Collection
A fascinating collection of jewels, works by Fabergé, sculpture, arms and armour and paintings - including by Rembrandt and Canaletto. Also showing: The Art of Natural History in the Age of Discovery. In collaboration with Sir David Attenborough, the works of four artists - including Leonardo da Vinci - and a collector who have shaped our knowledge of the world around us.
Where: The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, SW1.
When: From 16 Mar.
Admission: Adults £8.50, under 17s £4.25.
Info: 020 7766 7301 or www.royalcollection.org.uk

Last Chance: The Terracotta Army
Tickets have almost sold out, however 500 are available every day from 9.15am for same-day visit (arrive early). The exhibition is now open until midnight on Thur to Sun and from 9am on Sat and Sun.
Where: British Museum, Great Russell Street, WC1.
When: Until 6 Apr.
Admission: £12, 16-18s £10, under 16s free.
Info: 020 7323 8181 or www.britishmuseum.org

 

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