Exhibition in Focus Talks
given by members of our curatorial and conservation teams
- Next event: 8 May 2025
7 upcoming events - 13:00 - 13:20
- Free with your exhibition ticket.
- The talks will commence at 1:00pm in the Redgrave Room. We recommend that you arrive at the Gallery 30 minutes before the talk begins as it can take a while to go through security on busy days. Please note that capacity for these event is limited and access will be permitted on a first come, first serve basis.
- Adults
It is not necessary to book a ticket for these talks. Please click the 'Book Now' link below to purchase your exhibition ticket and select a timeslot of 12:30pm or earlier to attend these talks.
Join us for this series of talks given by members of the curatorial and conservation teams at Royal Collection Trust. Each talk will focus on a different artwork on display in our current exhibition at The King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, The Edwardians: Age of Elegance.
Each talk will last approximately 15-20 minutes and focus on a particularly artwork or item on display in the exhibition. Our programme will include talks from our curators, who will provide a more detailed insight into the history of the items on display and what it can tell us about the opulent but also transitional nature of this period, while our conservators will take you behind the scenes to see some of the incredible work that goes into preserving and restoring the art in preparation for display.
Please be aware that, while every effort is taken to deliver the programme as described below, it may sometimes be necessary for speakers or titles to change. In this event, we will update the programme below to ensure that it is kept as accurate as possible. Please check back here to check the most up-to-date information.
The programme of Exhibition in Focus talks will be as follows:
| Thursday 24 April | 'The Taste and Paintings Collection of Edward VII' by Alex Buck, Assistant Curator of Paintings |
| In 1859, aged seventeen, the future Edward VII made a cultural visit to Rome. Here he met Frederic Leighton. This experience set the tone for his future collecting, which reflects his artistic friendships, sporting interests and love of beautiful portraits. Join Alex Buck, Assistant Curator of Paintings as she explores the paintings acquired by Edward, Prince of Wales to furnish his private residences. | |
| Thursday 8 May | ‘Edwardian Clutter: Edward and Alexandra at home’ by Kathryn Jones, Senior Curator of Decorative Arts and Exhibition Curator |
| Monday 19 May | 'Laurits Tuxen: Painting Ceremony and Celebration' by Alex Buck, Assistant Curator of Paintings |
| The Danish artist Laurits Tuxen was commissioned to paint numerous commemorative paintings for members of the Royal Family. It is through his eyes that we view important events of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Join Alex Buck, Assistant Curator of Paintings, as she explores Tuxen’s style and technique, and how he brings life and vitality to these complex compositions. | |
| Thursday 29 May | 'Edwardians and the Book Beautiful’ by Daniel Haynes, Assistant Curator of Books and Manuscripts |
| Thursday 16 October | 'Queen Alexandra's Coronation Dress’ by Caroline de Guitaut, Surveyor of The King's Works of Art |
| Thursday 23 October | 'Queen Alexandra’s Photograph Albums’ by Sian Cooksey, Collections Information Officer |
| Thursday 30 October | Subject tbc by Alice de Quidt, Assistant Curator of Prints and Drawings |
| Thursday 13 November | ‘Edwardians on Tour: The 1901 Ophir Voyage and Ceremonies of Gift-Giving’ by Rachel Peat Underhill, Curator of Decorative Arts |
| The Edwardian era saw the most extensive British royal tour of the globe to date: the 1901 voyage of the future King George V and Queen Mary. The visit profoundly shaped the couple’s collecting tastes, spanning Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and beyond. Join Rachel Peat Underhill, Curator of Decorative Arts, as she explores the varied materials and techniques of the artwork they acquired, and the local ceremonies of gift-giving which infused the tour. | |
