In spite of the National Gallery's impressive collection - they own nine of the 80 surviving works - this is Britain's first ever major retrospective of the career of Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velázquez (1599-1660).
The leading artist in the court of King Philip IV, Velazquez is most famed as a portrait painter of rare skill, bringing perfectly observed psychology and intense dignity to his carefully observed subjects. This exhibition includes the three exquisite portraits he made of the royal children, and his sensitive portrait of Lezcano, the court dwarf. More dramatic are his classical and Biblical scenes, including the luminous 'Apollo at the Forge of Vulcan' and 'The Temptation of St Thomas Aquinas'.
There will be an unprecedented response to this blockbuster show, and The National Gallery have moved a large chunk of their permanent collection out to the Sainsbury Wing to make room for the crowds. Book early if you want to visit at the weekend.
Radisson Edwardian Leicester Square
3 St Martin's Street, Leicester Square, WC2H 7HL
Despite being part of a large-scale chain, the Radisson Leicester Square manages to feel like... More
London's Theatreland is the finest in the world, with swarms of Hollywood stars making pilgrimages across the pond to tread the hallowed boards of ... More
National Maritime Museum
Romney Road Greenwich, SE10 9NF
Navigation, navy, the sea and the Empire
Located in the heart of historic Greenwich, the National Maritime... More
Picasso: Challenging the Past
National Gallery, Sainsbury Wing, WC2N 5DN
25th February 2009 - 7th June 2009
At first glance staging a Picasso exhibition at the ... More
Every Friday, from 7-8pm, meet at the Sainsbury Wing Information Desk for a sixty-minute taster tour of the National Gallery. Within the collection are paintings ...More
The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize, held at the National Portrait Gallery each year, attracts around 7,000 images and is open to professionals and amateurs ...More
Overlooking Leicester Square - the setting for London’s regular film premieres - the Radisson Edwardian Hampshire has glamorous, exclusive décor to match its high-profile setting: ... More
Set in between Trafalgar and Leicester Squares and right next to the National Portrait Gallery, the Thistle Trafalgar Square is a modern hotel set in ... More
The National Gallery dominates London's Trafalgar Square with its neo-classical columns and portico designed by William Wilkins adjoining the square on its east side where ... More
The National Portrait Gallery houses portraits of significant figures from the late 15th century to the present day. This isn't the place to come for ... More
From budding Harry Potters and bumbling Tommy Coopers to dynamic David Copperfields, Davenports is a haven for magicians of every level and ability. Non-magicians too ... More
Intrepid explorers already know where to travel for the best selection of maps and travel books. Stanford's should be the first pit stop on any ... More
The National Gallery's National Dining Rooms restaurant won Time Out's Best British Restaurant Award in 2007 for good reasons - they do all sorts of ... More
Katana has all the right ingredients for success. An amazing location, highly trained chefs and slick décor combine to create an oasis of elegance amid ... More
The Courtauld is one of the most prestigious art schools in the country, affiliated with the Oxbridge system and boasting a huge private location and ... More
Imperial College London is the foremost medical training faculty in the country but for non-medical graduates wishing for a change of career, King’s is the ... More
This day spa exclusively for women is a total pampering experience from the minute you step through the door. Located in bustling Covent Garden you'll ... More
In the shadow of both Centrepoint and St Giles-in-the-Fields Church, hidden from most tourists and residents alike, lies this beautiful West End garden. Originally a ... More
Part Victorian pub, part museum dedicated to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous sleuth.
Thirsty Sherlock Holmes fans look no further than this homage to the ... More
This
was once a sleazy Soho strip club, as the name suggests, and it really
shows. Deep reds are the dominant colour, with mirrors, booths and
velvet curtains ... More
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