Guildhall Art Gallery and London's Roman Amphitheatre

19/02/2025

Hugh Goldwin Riviere – The Garden of Eden (1901)

Depicting a couple strolling through Kensington Gardens, this painting emphasises how love can transform ordinary moments. The title’s biblical reference suggests that, for them, the dreary city becomes a paradise.

The couple modelling for this painting were actually engaged to each other at the time and are Beatrice Langdon-Davies, Rivière’s sister-in-law, and her fiancé Percy Silley, an architect. The pair were closely chaperoned during the making of the work and were married not long after it was completed.

It is a touching scene of two otherwise ordinary people made extraordinary by the love they bear each other.

Would you have known this was Kensington Gardens?

16/02/2025

Sharing some of the fantastic artworks created by families at our Second Saturday event this month - we were blown away by the artistic talent and the card in the third image made us all chuckle!

📅 Next week, on Wednesday 19 Feb, we will be hosting a special family day for the half-term break.

Bring the kids to explore the art of stained glass! Young artists can:
🌟Craft banners and floating window roundels.
🌟See live demonstrations.
🌟Listen to engaging stories.

All of these activities will be inspired by the works of female glass artists past and present.

🌟 Free. Walk-ins welcome. More information is available through the link: https://www.thecityofldn.com/event/february-half-term-family-day/

15/02/2025

Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema – Pleading (1876)

Alma-Tadema was a Dutch painter who spent most of his career in London, specialising in neo-Classical themes. Due to the popularity of subject matter and the jewel-like clarity of his works, he became one of the most famous and highly paid artists of the Victorian period.

This painting showcases Alma-Tadema’s hallmark attention to detail, from the textures of fabrics to the marble surfaces. Set in an idealised ancient world, the scene invites viewers to imagine the story behind the title, “Pleading.”

As part of the Victorian fascination with the classical past, such works were popular for their beauty and escapism, offering viewers a break from contemporary realities.

What do you think the story behind the painting is? Let us know in the comments!

14/02/2025

New exhibition launching soon!

One of the most remarkable artists of her generation, Evelyn De Morgan, is returning to Guildhall Art Gallery this April in an exhibition that premieres two newly restored artworks.

From 4 April 2025, discover the visionary work of Evelyn De Morgan and explore her richly coloured canvases, featuring beautifully draped figures laden with messages of feminism, spirituality, and the rejection of war and material wealth, which won her many high-profile admirers, including Oscar Wilde and the Pre-Raphaelite painter, William Holman Hunt.

The exhibition will explore her artistic process, career, and cultural influences. More details coming soon!

🎨 Evelyn De Morgan: The Modern Painter in Victorian London

📅 4 April 2025

In collaboration with .

12/02/2025

William Henry Gore – Listed (1885)

This painting shows a newly enlisted soldier saying farewell to his sweetheart. It was created during the agricultural depression of the late 19th century, a time when many rural laborers left the fields for cities or the army.

The ribbons in his cap signify his recent enlistment - a common symbol in Victorian times. The setting sun symbolises the end of an era for this couple, and the winter mist reflects her grief.

Would you have known what the ribbons meant? Let us know!

Image credit: City of London Corporation

08/02/2025

James Jacques Tissot – The Last Evening (1873)

One interpretation of this scene is a young woman saying farewell to her sweetheart before he embarks on a voyage. Her passive pose contrasts with the intense gaze of her companion, hinting at a reluctant parting.

Another interpretation of The Last Evening is that the scene shows the final moments of an on-board romance between a first class passenger and a crew member under the disapproving eyes of his captain and her father.

Tissot, influenced by his upbringing in the French port of Nantes, accurately captured the ship’s details, adding to the realism. The painting’s warped perspective creates an uneasy feeling, enhancing the emotional tension.

Have you noticed the perspective shift? Take a closer look! 🔍

Image credit: City of London Corporation

05/02/2025

This Valentine’s season, we’re exploring the theme of love - from devotion and longing to passion and heartbreak - through the lens of our Victorian collection.

The 19th century was the age of story, with a huge proliferation of novels, periodicals, and stage plays, and much of the visual art suggests a culture of intense interest in the human emotional landscape. It is no coincidence that these scenes often contain ambivalence. Far from being sentimental or simplistic, the works engage with the truth of feeling and navigating difficulties through love, or love through difficulties.

👀 Stay tuned as we spotlight some of the love stories in our collection over the next few weeks.

03/02/2025

Join us this Saturday, 8 February, for our regular monthly family day!

Your free ticket includes:
✨Crafts and activities from 11am to 4pm on the theme of Love, inspired by paintings in our collection.
✨Think Victorian inspired collage card making, origami purses, handmade envelopes and creating some love and friendship inspired poems.
✨Storytelling at 11.30am and 2.30pm.
✨Story corner with soft cushions, dress-up costumes and building bricks will also be available throughout the day.

The activities are free and whilst booking is advised we also welcome walk-ins on the day.

🔗 Book your space in advance: https://www.thecityofldn.com/event/second-saturday-family-activities-at-guildhall-art-gallery/

02/02/2025

Calling all teachers! We've two sessions available for our popular The Big Picture workshops by Artis.

Book your school visit for Wednesday 24 February and let your students embark on an unforgettable journey of art, learning and fun.

Discover more about these sessions: https://www.thecityofldn.com/article/the-big-picture-a-creative-workshop-for-schools/

01/02/2025

Diaries at the ready, let’s do something fun together this February!

Here's what's coming up this month at the Gallery:
🔹 Family Day: Our regular free Second Saturday event returns on 8 February.
🔹 Half-term Activities: We will be exploring the Art of Stained Glass on 19 February. Young artists can craft banners and floating window roundels, see live demonstrations and join exciting storytelling sessions inspired by the works of female glass artists past and present.
🔹 Free Tours: Explore our collection with a City of London Guide, daily at 12:15 and 13:15 (except Mondays).

Plan your visit: https://www.thecityofldn.com/directory/guildhall-art-gallery/

26/01/2025

⚠️ Guildhall Art Gallery and London's Roman Amphitheatre will be closed to the public tomorrow, 27 January, due to a private event.⚠️

We apologise for the inconvenience.

Visit our website to see what's on and plan your visit:

Guildhall Art Gallery is located in the heart of the City of London and features a fine collection of art, and a Roman Amphitheatre.

14/01/2025

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for our Second Saturday family event this past weekend!

We were blown away by the creativity of our young artists, who took inspiration from our Great Fire of London collection to create these amazing works of art. Here’s a glimpse of their fantastic creations - brilliant work, everyone! 👏

📅 Mark your calendars: our next Second Saturday event is coming up on 8 February.

06/01/2025

🔎Take a closer look at this print...what do you see?

Desmet’s prints create a unique dialogue between time and change, depicting the evolution of urban landscapes - from ancient Rome and Pompeii to London. One of the stand-out art works not to be missed is this complex collage, ‘Fires of London’, created using 18 razor-clam shells to present a theme of the many historic fires of London over the last 1,500 years.

Only 1 week left to explore Anne Desmet's endlessly imaginative show 'Anne Desmet: Kaleidoscope/London Exhibition'. Open until 12 January. Admission is 'pay what you can'.

Plan your visit 👉 https://www.thecityofldn.com/event/anne-desmet-kaleidoscope-london-exhibition/

04/01/2025

Join us next Saturday, 11 January, for our monthly family day!

Your free ticket includes:
✨Crafts and activities from 11am to 4pm on the theme of the Great Fire of London.
✨Storytelling at 11.30am and 2.30pm.
✨Great Fire of London gallery tour at 11:45am.
✨Story corner with soft cushions, dress-up costumes and building bricks will also be available throughout the day.

The activities are free and whilst booking is advised we also welcome walk-ins on the day.

🔗 Book your space in advance: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/second-saturday-family-activities-tickets-1096052234739?aff=oddtdtcreator

01/01/2025

Happy New Year from Guildhall Art Gallery! Start the year with a dose of art and culture. Here’s what’s on this January:

🔹 Last Chance to see: Anne Desmet: Kaleidoscope/London closes 12 January.
🔹 Family Day: Our regular free Second Saturday event returns on 11 January.
🔹 Free Tours: Explore our collection with a City of London Guide, daily at 12:15 and 13:15 (except Mondays).

The Gallery will be closed from Tuesday 31 December 2024 to Monday 6 January 2025.

Plan your visit 👉 https://www.thecityofldn.com/guildhall-gallery-and-amphitheatre/

22/12/2024

Guildhall Art Gallery and London's Roman Amphitheatre will be closed between:
✨Tuesday 24 to Thursday 26 December; and
✨Tuesday 31 December to Monday 6 January 2025

If you are looking for things to do in between Christmas and New Year's, the gallery is open from 27 to 31 December.

Explore the stunning work of Anne Desmet: Kaleidoscope/London in its final days before it closes on 12 January 2025.

You can book tickets to the exhibition and also free general admission tickets via the the link below: https://www.thecityofldn.com/directory/guildhall-art-gallery/

16/12/2024

A huge congratulations to Ben Melham, who has officially achieved a new Guinness World Record for visiting the most museums in 24 hours.

Ben visited an unprecedented 42 museums in and around central London, smashing the previous record of 33 museums visited in a single day – and Guildhall Art Gallery and London's Roman Amphitheatre was one of his visits!



📸 Ben Melham at Guildhall Art Gallery during the World Record attempt.

09/12/2024

Join us this Saturday, 14 December, for our monthly family day!

Your free ticket includes:
✨Crafts and activities from 11am to 4pm.
✨Christmas Storytelling at 11.30am and 2.30pm.
✨Story corner with soft cushions, dress-up costumes and building bricks will also be available throughout the day.

The activities are free and whilst booking is advised we also welcome walk-ins on the day.

Book your space → https://www.thecityofldn.com/event/second-saturday-family-activities-at-guildhall-art-gallery/