Western portraiture has a long history, and it reached its peak after the 15th century, showing unprecedented diversity and changes. In addition to the world-famous “Mona Lisa,” the Renaissance period also saw portraits entering the realms of mythology and religious themes. With changes in art and history, the styles of portrait works also vary, with some even claiming that one can discern the appearance of a particular era just by looking at a face.
National Portrait Gallery is the world’s largest portrait collection and the world’s first portrait gallery. In the past, you had to travel there to see its collection, but recently they will hold the exhibition “Faces of Time: From Shakespeare to Ed Sheeran” at Chimei Museum in Tainan, lending out many precious portraits of museum-level significance, hailed as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”!
This exhibition is the first large-scale world tour of the National Portrait Gallery in the UK in over 160 years, with a large number of national treasures that have never left the UK set to be showcased in Tainan. This exhibition will take everyone on a journey through the life stories of famous figures spanning over 500 years, showing how they wielded their influence to enrich the world.
Shakespeare, Darwin, The Beatles, Ed Sheeran, David Beckham …… Spanning five hundred years, influential figures in various fields, shaping self-image through portraits, living out profound and exciting lives beyond the frame. Genius painter Rubens, pop art master Andy Warhol, and British art patriarch David Hockney …… How do artistic masters of portrait painting use their eyes and brushes to capture the extraordinary figures in their portraits?
It is said that the National Portrait Gallery in the UK has been closed for renovation until 2023 due to the “Inspiring People” project, allowing these iconic collections to embark on their first-ever world tour. These rare portraits rarely appear in Asia, and it is believed that they will attract many visitors when they are exhibited!
“The Faces of Time: From Shakespeare to Red-haired Ed”
Date: August 27, 2022 to February 28, 2023
Location: Special Exhibition Hall, Southern Chi Mei Museum
Image source and learn more: Chimei Museum in Tainan, National Portrait Gallery in the UK
