This Is London - December

MEET FATHER CHRISTMAS AT THE
NATIONAL GALLERY
For the first time, in 2020, Father
Christmas is making a very special
appearance at the National Gallery
during the festive season. During
selected days in December, children and
their parents or care-givers can go along
and meet Father Christmas with his
elves and step into a painter’s winter
wonderland inspired by the iconic
National Gallery painting A Winter Scene
with Skaters near a Castle by Hendrick
Avercamp (1585–1634).
Take a journey with the National
Gallery and get to know the characters in
Avercamp’s imaginary little town having
fun in this wintery scene: playing,
showing off, laughing or just falling
over, all overlooked by the luscious pink
castle that looks almost like a giant, iced
Christmas cake!
A Winter Scene with Skaters near a Castle.
Hendrick Avercamp (1585–1634)
There is also an opportunity to put
yourself in the painting and take photos
whilst exploring three life-size seasonal
scenes based on A Winter Scene with
Skaters near a Castle, including skaters,
Christmas trees and a sleigh. There will
be tasty treats in the Café to keep
everyone warm and toasty, and a gift
from Father Christmas for each child.
At the end of the event, take a trip to
Room 25 to see A Winter Scene with
Skaters near a Castle, and all the other
works in the National Gallery.
Find out more and book tickets at
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
THE BRITISH MUSEUM GREAT
COURT’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY
The British Museum’s Great Court,
one of the most recognisable museum
interiors in the world, turns 20 on
6 December. To celebrate the Great
Court’s milestone, the British Museum
reveals that since it opened, 113 million
people have now walked under the
famous glass roof. The Museum has
also released brand new photos of the
Great Court at 20. Designed by
Foster + Partners, the Queen Elizabeth II
Great Court was opened by Her Majesty
The Queen on 6 December 2000. At the
opening ceremony, she hailed it as
‘a landmark of the new Millennium.’
Hartwig Fisher, Director of the British
Museum, said: ‘I am delighted that the
British Museum can reopen its doors in
time for the 20th anniversary of the Great
Court. This spectacular glass-roofed
courtyard has welcomed 113 million
people since the turn of the Millennium,
and it is the glorious starting point for
nearly every visitor. It is only fitting that
this space, which transformed the visitor
experience of this great institution,
should be welcoming people once again
on its 20th birthday.’
The Great Court is a two-acre space
enclosed by a spectacular glass roof
with the world-famous Reading Room in
the centre. It is the most photographed
space in the Museum on social media.
Before its construction, the central space
of the Museum was home to the British
Library, including in the central Round
Reading Room which was completed in
1857 and designed Sydney Smirke.
The Library’s departure in 1997 was the
catalyst for recapturing the courtyard as
a new public space at the heart of the
Museum. The £100m development was
the final major Millennium Commission
project to open in 2000. It was
supported by grants of £30 million from
the Millennium Commission and £15.75
million from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Marking the 20th anniversary,
Norman Foster, Founder and Executive
Chairman, Foster + Partners, said: ‘The
rediscovery of the amazing courtyard of
the British Museum – the Great Court –
and its rebirth as a new social focus
followed what I have often called the
historic tradition of change, which
respects the past while steadfastly
reflecting the spirit of its own time.
The simple act of opening it up as the
spatial heart of the museum was a
catalyst in the Museum’s reinvigoration.
The celebration of its 20th anniversary
this year is a reflection of its success
and we join in congratulating the British
Museum for its foresight and vision.’
Tickets are now available to book for
acclaimed exhibitions Tantra:
enlightenment to revolution and the
Citi exhibition Arctic: culture and
climate, along with free tickets to the
permanent collection, where visitors can
still see Grayson Perry’s installation
The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman
and Edmund de Waal’s library of exile.
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