CITY SAFARI - London & Partners

‘torrent in the alps’ and ‘at handeck’ from the collection of asbJørn lunde. images © the ownerNorwegian woodsFrom 22 Jun anyone notyet familiar with 19thcenturynorwegian andswiss landscape paintingsis in for a treat, thanksto the new exhibitionforests, rocks, torrents.the national gallery isshowing more than 50spectacular examples fromthe private archive of majornorwegian-americancollector asbjørn lunde.most of the artworks havenever been seen in theuk before, and some haverarely been on public viewat all. art-lovers who enjoy the lyrical landscapes of britishpainters like constable and turner, will be thrilled by thetechnical skill and the vivid atmosphere conjured by thesenorthern european artists from same period, such as Johanchristian dahl, thomas fearnley and peder balke. picturedare two oils by alexandre calame: torrent in the alps from1849 (top), and at handeck, circa 1860 (bottom).National Gallery, above right.16s free.39 Wellington Street, WC2.% 020 7379 6344.: ltmuseum.co.ukË Covent Garden. Map C6.MUSEUM OF 1951Until 4 Sep art,memorabilia and rareartefacts celebrate the60th anniversary of the1951 festival of britain.this museum is co-curatedby wayne and geraldinehemmingway (red ordead). daily 10.00-23.00.admission free.Spirit Level, Royal FestivalHall, Southbank Centre,Belvedere Road, SE1.% 08703 800 400.: southbankcentre.co.ukË Waterloo. Key 66.MUSEUM OF LONDONthe world’s largest urbanhistory museum includesthe £20 million galleries ofmodern london, which tellthe story of the city from1666 to the present day.Until 4 Sep london streetphotography. more than200 photo images helpto contrast contemporaryand historic london life.Until 11 Sep hand-drawnlondon. fascinating mapsdrawn by londoners thatare based on personalexperience instead ofgeography. mon-sun 10.00-18.00. admission free.London Wall, EC2.% 020 7001 9844.: museumoflondon.org.uk Ë St Paul’s. Map B8.MUSEUM OF LONDONDOCKLANDSthe intriguing history ofthe meandering riverthames, from its timeas a roman port to theongoing regeneration ofthe docks. displays includethe thought-provokingpermanent exhibition,london, sugar & slavery.Until 30 Oct pirates:the captain kidd story.interactive exhibits and170 related objects. theserange from kidd’s last letterand a genuine pirate flag,to clothes from Viviennewestwood’s famous 1981‘pirates’ fashion collectionexhibition £7, child £5.daily 10.00-18.00.admission free.West India Quay, E14.% 020 7001 9844.: museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands Ë CanaryWharf. Map inset.MUSICAL MUSEUMa world-class collection ofautomatic instruments onthree floors. they range frommusical boxes to the selfplayingwurlitzer organ. tuessun(plus bank holidays)11.00-17.30. admission £8,under-16s free.399 High Street, TW8.% 020 8560 8108.: musicalmuseum.co.ukT Kew Bridge. Off map.NATIONAL ARMYMUSEUMthe story of the britisharmy told through displays,events and lectures, plusthe permanent exhibitionconflicts of interest,which explores the role ofthe british army abroad.Until 26 Jun the road tokabul: british armies inafghanistan, 1838-1919. thecontroversial history of thebritish military in afghanistan.Until 30 Jul wives &sweethearts. letters and lovetokens from heterosexualsoldiers in battle. daily 10.00-17.30. admission free.Royal Hospital Road, SW3.% 020 7730 0717.: national-army-museum.ac.uk Ë Sloane Square.Off map.NATIONAL GALLERYsuperb collection of westerneuropean paintings. Until5 Jun Jan de beer: antwerpmannerist. ground-breaking15th-century art from thenetherlands. From 22 Junforests, rocks, torrents.evocative 19th-centurynorwegian and swisslandscape paintings (left).sat-thurs 10.00-18.00;fri 10.00-21.00.admission free.Trafalgar Square, WC2.% 020 7747 2885.: nationalgallery.org.ukË Charing Cross. Map C5.NATIONAL MARITIMEMUSEUMstate-of-the-art museumexploring britain’s maritimepast, present and future. themuseum’s fine art collectionis at the Queen’s housenext door. Until 3 Juntreasure island. free familyactivities including treasurehunts, art workshopsand performance. it’s tocelebrate the publishing ofrobert louis stevenson’streasure island in 1883.daily 10.00-17.00.admission free.Romney Road, SE10.% 020 8858 4422.: nmm.ac.uk Ë CuttySark/Greenwich.Map inset.NATIONAL PORTRAITGALLERYbritish history told throughportraits of the famousand influential. Until 19Jun ida kar: bohemianphotographer, 1908-74.portraits by the pioneering20th-century snapper.exhibition £3. Until 24Jul ballet in focus. rarephotographs of dancersincluding adeline genéeand anna pavlova. From16 Jun bp portrait award2011. entries to theinternational contemporaryportrait painting competition.sat-wed 10.00-18.00;thurs & fri 10.00-21.00.admission free.St Martin’s Place, WC2.% 020 7312 2463.: npg.org.uk Ë LeicesterSquare. Map C6.MUSEUMS & GALLERIESJune 2011 | LONDON PLANNER | visitlondon.com |63