Synopses & Reviews
John Virtue was invited to become the sixth National Gallery Associate Artist because of his deep-rooted relationship with the great European landscape tradition that is magnificently represented in the museumand#8217;s collection. Working in the National Galleryand#8217;s studio, Virtue has made an unprecedented series of large-scale paintings that represent the London cityscape looking towards St. Pauland#8217;s and a smaller group showing Trafalgar Square from the roof of the National Gallery. Executed solely in black and white, they are monumental, epic works.This book illustrates all of Virtueand#8217;s London paintings and a selection of his drawings. Following an introduction by Charles Saumarez Smith, other contributors explore the artistand#8217;s place in both the context of his contemporaries and in the historical tradition of London cityscapes, the connection between Virtueand#8217;s earlier work and the paintings and drawings he has made at the National Gallery, and Virtueand#8217;s new paintings in the context of his residency at the National Gallery.
Synopsis
Invited to be National Gallery Associate Artist, John Virtue took up his brush to create an unprecedented series of large-scale paintings of the London cityscape looking toward St. Pauland#8217;s and a smaller group showing Trafalgar Square from the Gallery roof. This book presents all of Virtueand#8217;s London paintings and a selection of his drawings and discusses his place in the tradition of London cityscapes.
About the Author
Simon Schama is professor of history at Columbia University, New York.
Paul Moorhouse is a senior curator at Tate, London.
Colin Wiggins is deputy head of education at the National Gallery, London.
Charles Saumarez Smith is director of the National Gallery, London.