Begin your tour by learning about the master painters whose names fill the halls of the National Gallery. Instead of wandering aimlessly, let the guides immerse you in the stories and history behind some of the world’s most famous artists. You’ve heard of Van Gogh and da Vinci, but what do you really know about them? Learn about the painters behind the paintings as you browse through the works by masters like Botticelli, Monet, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. If none of those names mean anything to you, we’ll make sure that all changes by the end of the tour. The National Gallery houses a collection of paintings from the 1300s onwards, so there is no shortage of choice. View da Vinci’s “The Virgin of the Rocks” before fast-forwarding to Seurat’s “Bathers at Asnières” to witness the changing styles over the centuries. During this semi-private tour, you will be armed with the information and history that you’ll need to appreciate the 2300 paintings on display at one of the world’s most visited museums.
After a break for lunch, you will be ready to explore culture and civilizations through the monumental collection at the British Museum. Your guide will lead you through 6000 years of sculptures, jewelry and artifacts, acting like a living Rosetta Stone to help you understand these pieces – and yes, you’ll see the real Rosetta Stone while you’re at it. Your guides will take a serious but enjoyable approach towards the museum’s galleries, discussing primitive tribes and forgotten empires through a carefully curated selection of exhibits. Discover Samurai armor and centuries’ old Assyrian lion hunt reliefs. You’ll learn about the Mummy of Katebet and the Lewis Chessmen, among other historic objects. Leave the tour with an understanding of what we humans have achieved during our short history and be proud to call yourself a part of this incredible species.
Highlights Generally Include:
(if artwork is not on loan or being restored etc.) A Young Woman standing at a Virginal, Sunflowers, The Madonna of the Pinks ('La Madonna dei Garofani’), The Toilet of Venus ('The Rokeby Venus’), The Virgin of the Rocks from Panels from the S. Francesco Altarpiece, The Ambassadors, The Arnolfini Portrait, Venus and Mars, The Rosetta Stone, Assyrian Lion Hunt reliefs, Parthenon Sculpture, Lewis Chessmen,Oxus Treasure, Royal Game of Ur, Mummy of Katebet, Samurai Armour
