Since the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) reopened in June, one of its biggest crowd-pullers has been Joshua Reynolds' masterful Portrait of Mai. Painted in 1776, it depicts the first Polynesian to visit Britain and was secured for public display following a historic deal earlier this year. Spectacular though the painting is, however, some visitors have found their focus drawn not only to such works, but also to the walls on which they hang.
As with many such recent refurbishments, the NPG worked closely with several interiors brands as it reimagined its galleries and public spaces. Dorset paint company Farrow & Ball was invited to collaborate on the redecoration of several galleries on the first floor, where the idea was to use existing shades to expand on architect Ewan Christian's original 1896 vision for the building. Other partnerships however, including the Ashmolean Museum's collaboration with Graphenstone, involve generating new hues that visitors can buy for use in domestic spaces.
The NPG's chief curator, Alison Smith, says there were three main considerations for the decorative scheme - respecting the building, exploiting natural light, and showcasing the collection. 'We wanted something that had a period feel, but wasn't so precise as to match colours used in those particular eras,' she explains. 'Charles Lock Eastlake, the first director of the National Gallery [and translator of Goethe's Theory of Colours into English], said that wall colours should be lighter than the darks [within a piece] and darker than the lights, and I think that's quite a good principle for hanging pictures.'
This story is from the October 2023 edition of Homes & Antiques.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2023 edition of Homes & Antiques.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Animal magic
Brought to life in myriad ways, whether printed, woven or embroidered, animals and birds have always been popular motifs in textile design, says Celia Rufey
Bright, bold and BRILLIANT
Small homes don't need to compromise on character. In Nick Kenny's two-up, two-down terrace, natural light, upcycled pieces and colourful accents make a big impact
Petite et chic
Amanda Grant and Kristian Dean's compact apartment encapsulates the essence of continental country house style
A thrifty MIX
Jill De Búrca's home was once a buy-to-let. Now that she's finally moved in, she has begun to furnish it with a quirky combination of antiques, vintage pieces and high street finds
Scholarly SANCTUARY
Statement antiques create drama in this one-bedroom former school hall, owned by antiques dealer Jean Hill
HEIRLOOMS OF THE FUTURE - FLORA JAMIESON
The stained glass artist talks to Dominique Corlett about the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement and capturing the English countryside at its best
Armillary sphere
The roots of the armillary sphere go back centuries but the design has retained its appeal, and sculptor David Harber creates some of today's most spectacular examples, says Jenny Oldaker
Six of the best HERITAGE RAILWAYS
Plying an 84-mile round trip route through the Scottish Highlands (current licensing woes willing), the Jacobite Steam Train starts at Fort William and skirts the tallest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, and spectacular beaches on its way to Mallaig.
TRAVEL
48 hours in Stockholm and the best heritage railways.
A PERSONAL PASSION
For opera lovers, Glyndebourne Festival is the highlight of the summer, beloved for its magical setting as well as the calibre of its productions. Celia Rufey steps behind the scenes as it celebrates its 90th birthday