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Art

National Portrait Gallery reveals how painting of founder was slashed with a cleaver by a suffragette

29 January 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Surveillance photographs of Suffragettes issued to the National Portrait Gallery by Criminal Records Office © National Portrait Gallery, London

A portrait slashed with a butcher’s cleaver by a suffragette in the National Portrait Gallery will go back on display there for the first time in over twenty years. A photograph showing the damage … [Read more...] about National Portrait Gallery reveals how painting of founder was slashed with a cleaver by a suffragette

The tides of memory – identity, migration and the new diasporas in a film by Luisa Mariani inspired by William Kentridge

14 November 2017 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Giovanni Pirri and Luisa Mariani

William Kentridge’s mural, Triumphs and Laments, in Rome became the city’s biggest contemporary art work and is also Kentridge’s largest public work. The 550m stretch of black and white images was … [Read more...] about The tides of memory – identity, migration and the new diasporas in a film by Luisa Mariani inspired by William Kentridge

Portrait of soprano Lina Cavalieri – the most beautiful woman in the world – is for sale

15 August 2016 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Lina Cavalieri - the soprano who sang with Caruso at the Met and inspired artists with her stunning looks - was known as 'the most beautiful woman in the world'; Gina Lollobrigida even played her … [Read more...] about Portrait of soprano Lina Cavalieri – the most beautiful woman in the world – is for sale

Amici della Scala: Fracci, Lazzarini, Pomodoro, Soleri, Vanoni, Savignano… artists who have made Milan great

28 May 2016 by Gramilano 1 Comment

The 'Amici della Scala' sure knows how to throw a party! The indefatigable Anna Crespi, who has been guiding the Friends of La Scala association since its birth in 1978, had the idea to get some of … [Read more...] about Amici della Scala: Fracci, Lazzarini, Pomodoro, Soleri, Vanoni, Savignano… artists who have made Milan great

Franco Zeffirelli is named one of 35 living descendants of Leonardo da Vinci

15 April 2016 by Gramilano 8 Comments

35 living descendants of Leonardo Da Vinci’s family have been identified. Although Da Vinci didn’t have any children, a project – started in 1973 – sort to create his family tree starting from the … [Read more...] about Franco Zeffirelli is named one of 35 living descendants of Leonardo da Vinci

Lucian Freud Archive acquired for the nation

16 November 2015 by Gramilano 3 Comments

An important archive comprising Lucian Freud’s sketchbooks, drawings and letters has been acquired by the nation from the estate of Lucian Freud through the Acceptance in Lieu Scheme. The archive has … [Read more...] about Lucian Freud Archive acquired for the nation

Giacometti: Pure Presence exhibition opens in London

14 October 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The first ever exhibition solely to consist of portraits by the twentieth-century artist Alberto Giacometti opens at the National Portrait Gallery tomorrow, Thursday 15 October. Giacometti: Pure … [Read more...] about Giacometti: Pure Presence exhibition opens in London

Painted sculpture of Sir Tim Berners-Lee unveiled at National Portrait Gallery

28 May 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

A newly commissioned portrait of Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, has been unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery in London. A painted bronze sculpture, by artist Sean … [Read more...] about Painted sculpture of Sir Tim Berners-Lee unveiled at National Portrait Gallery

Exhibition of Giacometti’s portraits to open at the National Portrait Gallery this autumn

12 May 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The first ever exhibition dedicated to Alberto Giacometti's portraits is to open at the National Portrait Gallery this autumn. This was announced today just hours after a sculpture of the Swiss artist … [Read more...] about Exhibition of Giacometti’s portraits to open at the National Portrait Gallery this autumn

Milan Expo 2015 – The Leonardo da Vinci exhibition at the Palazzo Reale

30 April 2015 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The Leonardo da Vinci exhibition at the Palazzo Reale in Milan – opening last week to coincide with the beginning of the Milan Expo on 1 May – is not to be missed, even if the show misses some … [Read more...] about Milan Expo 2015 – The Leonardo da Vinci exhibition at the Palazzo Reale

Three Leonardo da Vinci paintings on loan from the Louvre for the Milan Expo 2015

17 September 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The Louvre in Paris has given the ok for three of its Leonardo da Vinci paintings to travel to Milan for the ambitious exhibition of the painter's works to coincide with the Milan Expo in … [Read more...] about Three Leonardo da Vinci paintings on loan from the Louvre for the Milan Expo 2015

Virginia Woolf: Major London exhibition opens 10 July

9 July 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

A major exhibition exploring the life and achievements of Virginia Woolf opens at the National Portrait Gallery tomorrow, 10 July 2014. Virginia Woolf: Art, Life and Vision, which is on display until … [Read more...] about Virginia Woolf: Major London exhibition opens 10 July

English National Ballet dance in front of massive WW1 paintings

14 May 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

English National Ballet will present a First World War themed world première at the National Portrait Gallery this Friday 16 May for one night only as part of Museums at Night and the Gallery’s Late … [Read more...] about English National Ballet dance in front of massive WW1 paintings

Portrait of Dame Monica Mason is unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery

27 March 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Copyright: Jorge Herrera Photography A newly commissioned portrait of Dame Monica Mason, by artist Saied Dai has been unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery. In the larger than life-size … [Read more...] about Portrait of Dame Monica Mason is unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery

Closer to finding the Mona Lisa’s skeleton

16 February 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Italian art experts and archeologists are getting close to identifying the skeleton of the presumed sitter for Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. It is generally believed that the model was Lisa Del … [Read more...] about Closer to finding the Mona Lisa’s skeleton

Campaign to save last Van Dyck self-portrait for UK passes £3 million

1 February 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The National Portrait Gallery and the Art Fund announced yesterday that they have received over £3.2 million in support of their appeal to secure the last self-portrait of Sir Anthony Van Dyck, and … [Read more...] about Campaign to save last Van Dyck self-portrait for UK passes £3 million

Hidden code discovered in Walter Ralegh portrait

9 October 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Conservators at the National Portrait Gallery have uncovered a small painted passage in a portrait of Sir Walter Ralegh which reveals the depth of the explorer’s devotion to Queen Elizabeth I. The … [Read more...] about Hidden code discovered in Walter Ralegh portrait

Portrait of 17th Century feminist acquired by London’s National Portrait Gallery

2 October 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

London's National Portrait Gallery has acquired a re-discovered portrait of the 17th-century patron, builder and conservationist, Lady Anne Clifford. This was a rare woman who fought in a … [Read more...] about Portrait of 17th Century feminist acquired by London’s National Portrait Gallery

Portrait of David Bowie as the Elephant Man will go on show

23 September 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

A selection of portraits by Pop Artist Derek Boshier will be shown in the UK for the first time at the National Portrait Gallery. Derek Boshier: Imaginary Portraits (28 September 2013 – May 2014) … [Read more...] about Portrait of David Bowie as the Elephant Man will go on show

Ben Okri’s new poem to celebrate the first portrait of a black African Muslim and freed slave

18 September 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

London's National Portrait Gallery has commissioned a poem by Ben Okri to go alongside a special display of its loaned painting of Ayuba Suleiman Diallo, the first portrait of a black African Muslim … [Read more...] about Ben Okri’s new poem to celebrate the first portrait of a black African Muslim and freed slave

Robert Powell returns as Jesus in London’s National Portrait Gallery

16 September 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

For the first time the National Portrait Gallery opens a display space of prints made from portraits from its collections - which visitors can buy! Sir Michael Gambon, Robert Powell, Antony … [Read more...] about Robert Powell returns as Jesus in London’s National Portrait Gallery

First painted portrait of Malala Yousafzai goes on display in London

10 September 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

A previously unseen portrait of the education activist Malala Yousafzai will go on show in a new display of work by Jonathan Yeo opening at the National Portrait Gallery on Wednesday 11 September … [Read more...] about First painted portrait of Malala Yousafzai goes on display in London

Celebrity photography by Carlos Clarke donated to National Portrait Gallery

13 August 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

An impressive selection of rarely seen celebrity portraits by renowned photographer Bob Carlos Clarke have been donated to the National Portrait Gallery collection by the Bob Carlos Clarke … [Read more...] about Celebrity photography by Carlos Clarke donated to National Portrait Gallery

Pastel portraits by Bob Dylan to go on display in London

5 August 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Pastel portraits by Bob Dylan will be shown for the first time at London's National Portrait Gallery in September - the first time his work will have been seen in a museum in Britain. The 12 new … [Read more...] about Pastel portraits by Bob Dylan to go on display in London

New portrait of Damien Hirst to go on display in London

31 July 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

A major new painted portrait of contemporary artist Damien Hirst will feature in a display of work by Jonathan Yeo at the National Portrait Gallery in September. Jonathan Yeo Portraits (11 … [Read more...] about New portrait of Damien Hirst to go on display in London

Dancer Steven McRae morphs into a Japanese manga character

26 July 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Dance firsts are rare: Albrecht nude? Seen it. Swan Lake in the round? Been there. But ballet manga is something new, at least when it involves a real dancer. What is manga? I hear the balletomanes … [Read more...] about Dancer Steven McRae morphs into a Japanese manga character

Susanne du Toit wins this year’s BP Portrait Award with ‘Pieter’

19 June 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The National Portrait Gallery has announced the winner of the BP Portrait Award 2013. The prestigious first prize was won by 57-year-old artist Susanne du Toit, for Pieter, a powerful painting of … [Read more...] about Susanne du Toit wins this year’s BP Portrait Award with ‘Pieter’

Portrait of Kevin Spacey as Richard III goes on show in London

29 May 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

A striking new portrait of Kevin Spacey as Richard III will be one of several new works by Jonathan Yeo to be included in a major display of the artist’s work at the National Portrait Gallery this … [Read more...] about Portrait of Kevin Spacey as Richard III goes on show in London

Unknown painting of Elizabeth I at the National Portrait Gallery

8 May 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

A previously unknown painting of Elizabeth I attributed to the miniaturist Isaac Oliver has been acquired by London's National Portrait Gallery. The small painting – the size of a postcard – will … [Read more...] about Unknown painting of Elizabeth I at the National Portrait Gallery

Maggie Smith portrait added to the National Portrait Gallery collection

9 April 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

The National Portrait Gallery, London, has unveiled its most recent commissioned portrait, a painting of Dame Maggie Smith by James Lloyd. The large (six feet by three) oil painting shows … [Read more...] about Maggie Smith portrait added to the National Portrait Gallery collection

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NEWS

New York City Ballet 2023 Spring Season is announced

Principal Brandon Lawrence to leave Birmingham Royal Ballet to join Ballett Zürich

Two new opera recordings to be released by Warner Classics/Erato

Four new Principal dancers for New York City Ballet

LaScalaTv, La Scala’s new streaming platform, is now live

Royal Ballet principal dancer Laura Morera to retire

Pam Tanowitz’s Secret Things, her second world premiere for The Royal Ballet this season

Prix de Lausanne 2023 – the full lineup

Principal dancer Jared Angle to give final performance with NYCB

The Australian Ballet will tour to the Royal Opera House in August 2023

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GRAHAM SPICER

Writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano’) about dance, opera, music and photography for people who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like. I was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. My scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. I write the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or follow my Facebook page.

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