The Art of Italy in the Royal Collection
Renaissance & Baroque
This exhibition highlights the passionate collecting of Italian art by the British court in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
Charles I, who reigned from 1625 to 1649, assembled one of the greatest collections of paintings ever seen in Europe. He brought Italian artists to England, he was presented with paintings as gifts, and he bought extensively, most notably the best of the magnificent Gonzaga collection of Mantua.
His collection was sold after his execution, but his son Charles II (reigned 1660-85) reclaimed many paintings and also made new purchases. Charles II also collected Italian Renaissance drawings, a taste followed a century later by George III (reigned 1760-1820), who assembled a fine collection of Baroque drawings for his library.
Exhibition
Agnolo Bronzino (Florence 1503-72)
Portrait of a Lady in Green
Follower of Raphael (Urbino 1483-Rome 1520)
Portrait of a Man
Sebastiano Del Piombo (1485-1547)
Recto: The Holy Family with Pope Clement VII. Verso: The Infant Christ.
Attributed to Robert Hume (active 1808-40)
Cabinet
Map & directions
By train
The nearest train stations are London Victoria (10 minute walk) or London Charing Cross (20 minute walk).
Visit National Rail Enquiries for times and fares.
By underground
The nearest tube stations are Victoria, Green Park, St. James's Park and Hyde Park Corner (all approximately 10 minutes walk).
For further information visit the Transport for London website.
By coach / bus
Bus numbers 11, 211, C1 and C10 stop on Buckingham Palace Road. Victoria Coach Station is a 10-minute walk from the Palace.
For further information visit the Transport for London website.
