'The Hoerengracht', a replication of Amsterdam's red-light district by American artists Ed and Nancy Kienholz, may at first seem an unlikely work to display alongside the Old Masters at the National Gallery. But that's what you get when you walk into the Sunley Room from 18th November. On closer inspection the positioning of the seedy streets, brick walls and dimly lit mannequins alongside the 17th century Dutch Masters takes on an added poignancy. The juxtapositioning of the old and contemporary works in such close proximity prompts the visitor to draw parallels between the two. If only the same could be said of Damien Hirst's sorry attempts at painting in the Wallace Collection.
Image: Edward Kienholz and Nancy Redin, 'The Hoerengracht (detail)', 1984-8 Private collection Kienholz Estate, courtesy of LA Louver, Venice CA
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'The Hoerengracht', a replication of Amsterdam's red-light district by American artists Ed and Nancy Kienholz, may at first seem an unlikely work to display alongside the Old Masters at the 
