Velazquez
National Gallery, Trafalgar Square,  WC2N 5DN
18th October 2006 until 21st January 2007
Telephone: 020 7747 2423
 
Location Map of Velazquez
 
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.
 
Visiting Velazquez
 
 
Opening Times
Daily 10:00 - 18:00. Late opening Wednesday until 21:00
 
Ticket Prices
£12 (Adults), £11 (Seniors), £6 (Students, U18s, Unemployed), Free (U12s)
 
Travel
 
Underground Stations
Charing Cross Tube (3 minutes)
Leicester Square Tube (4 minutes)
Railway Stations
Charing Cross Railway Station (5 minutes)
Blackfriars Railway Station (25 minutes)
 
 
 
Car Parking
 
St Martins Lane NCP (3 minutes)
Trafalgar Masterpark (4 minutes)
 
 
Local Event Near Velazquez
 
 
London Event
National Gallery Guided Tour
National Gallery, Trafalgar Square,  WC2N
0 minutes distance from Velazquez
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...
 
London Event
The Sacred Made Real - Spanish Painting and Sculpture 1600-1700
National Gallery, Trafalgar Square,  WC2N
0 minutes distance from Velazquez
In 'The Sacred Made Real', the National Gallery explores the role of the hyper-realist sculptures in Spanish art during the 17th century. Through important works ...More...
 
 
Local Hotels Near Velazquez
 
 
London Hotels
Radisson Edwardian Hampshire Hotel
31-36 Leicester Square, London,  WC2H7LH
2 minutes distance from Velazquez
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...
 
London Hotels
The Royal Trafalgar
Whitcomb Street,  Trafalgar Square,  WC2H7HG
2 minutes distance from Velazquez
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...
 
 
Local Entertainment Near Velazquez
 
 
1 minutes distance from Velazquez
More...
 
2 minutes distance from Velazquez
More...
 
2 minutes distance from Velazquez
More...
 
 
Local Sights and Attractions Near Velazquez
 
 
London Sights and Attractions
National Gallery
Trafalgar Square, Westminster,  London,  WC2N
0 minutes distance from Velazquez
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...
 
London Sights and Attractions
National Portrait Gallery
St Martin's Place, Westminster,  London,  WC2H
1 minutes distance from Velazquez
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...
 
 
Local Shopping Near Velazquez
 
 
London Shopping
Davenports Magic Shop
7 Charing Cross Underground Shopping Arcade, Covent Garden,  London,  WC2N
2 minutes distance from Velazquez
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...
 
London Shopping
Stanford's
12-14 Long Acre, Covent Garden,  London,  WC2E
5 minutes distance from Velazquez
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...
 
 
Local Dining Near Velazquez
 
 
London Dining
National Dining Rooms
National Gallery,  Trafalgar Square, Westminster,  London,  WC2N
0 minutes distance from Velazquez
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...
 
London Dining
Katana
116 St Martins Lane, Covent Garden,  London,  WC2N
1 minutes distance from Velazquez
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...
 
 
Local Education Near Velazquez
 
 
London Education
Courtauld Institute of Art
Somerset House, Covent Garden,  London,  WC2R
11 minutes distance from Velazquez
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...
 
London Education
King's College Medical School
Strand, Covent Garden,  London,  WC2R
11 minutes distance from Velazquez
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...
 
 
Local Leisure Near Velazquez
 
 
London Leisure
The Sanctuary
12 Floral Street, Covent Garden,  London,  WC2E
6 minutes distance from Velazquez
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...
 
London Leisure
Phoenix Garden
21 Stacey Street, Covent Garden,  London,  WC2H
9 minutes distance from Velazquez
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...
 
 
Local Pubs Near Velazquez
 
 
London Pubs
The Sherlock Holmes
10 Northumberland Street, Covent Garden,  London,  WC2N
3 minutes distance from Velazquez
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...
 
London Pubs
Lamb & Flag
33 Rose Street, Covent Garden,  London,  WC2E
5 minutes distance from Velazquez
One of the oldest pubs in London. Once known as the Bucket of Blood, thanks to the bare-knuckle fights held here, the Lamb & Flag has ...More...
 
 
Local Nightlife Near Velazquez
 
 
London Nightlife
Madame Jojo's
8-10 Brewer Street, Soho,  London,  W1F
8 minutes distance from Velazquez
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...
 
London Nightlife
Mahiki
1 Dover Street, Mayfair,  London,  W1S
14 minutes distance from Velazquez
A favourite with young royals - Princes Harry and William, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have been spotted here... all at the same time. And where ...More...
 
 
Local Business Near Velazquez
 
 
London Business
National Portrait Gallery
St Martin's Place,  WC2H
1 minutes distance from Velazquez
...More...
 
London Business
Cafe in the Crypt
St Martin-in-the-Fields Church,  Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden,  London,  WC2N
1 minutes distance from Velazquez
...More...