The National Gallery of Ireland owns some 15,000 prints, drawings and watercolours by artists ranging from Andrea Mantegna to Käthe Kollwitz. It is presenting 57 of these works to give a sense of the scope of its collection, and in doing so it brings to light a number of connections between Ireland and Continental Europe that are not often explored (18 July–6 December). Like many British artists, Irish painters such as Nathaniel Hone and Mary Swanzy travelled to the Continent in the 19th and 20th centuries in search of inspiration from painters both historic and contemporary. But less often discussed are the European artists who found creative stimulation in Ireland, such as Joseph Beuys, who after touring the country in the 1970s went on to incorporate Irish myths, landscapes and symbolism into his work. The display also tells a story of how artistic style, technique and taste have changed across Europe over the last 600 years.
Find out more from the National Gallery of Ireland’s website.
Preview below | View Apollo’s Art Diary
