Above Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, At the Circus: The Encore, 1899. Black and coloured chalks on paper, 35.5 x 25 cm. Collection of David Lachenmann
Above Edgar Degas, Dancer Seen from Behind, c. 1873. Essence (diluted oil paint) on prepared pink paper, 28.4 x 32 cm. Collection of David Lachenmann
Impressionists on Paper: Degas to Toulouse-Lautrec
The Gabrielle Jungels-Winkler Galleries, Royal Academy, Burlington Gardens
25 November 2023 – 10 March 2024
We all know their paintings, but Degas, Cézanne, Morisot and Van Gogh also produced radical works on paper – the subjects of the Royal Academy’s new exhibition. Together, their watercolours, drawings, pastels, gouaches and temperas challenged the idea of what a finished work could be. The 77 works on show – many of which have rarely been seen before due to their fragility – elevate what would have once been deemed a preparatory study into artworks in their own right.
The portability of paper meant the artist could capture life as it unfolded in front of them, including circus acts (Toulouse-Lautrec) and dancers in motion (Degas, of course). When gazing at their work, you can almost imagine you were there yourself.
We’d like to take up permanent residence inside the maximalist world created by Francesca DiMattio at Pippy Houldsworth Gallery. Against a backdrop of hand-painted wallpapers and vinyl flooring with a trompe l’oeil mosaic design, the artist’s ceramic sculptures and domestic objects disrupt our understanding of the decorative.
Bedecking the interior, you’ll find sculptural furniture that recalls 18th-century Sèvres porcelain, alongside a matching chandelier, a Rococo mirror and Wedgwood-inspired wall sconces, crockery and seating – but she plays with their scale and imbues each object with personality. Decorative elements behave unusually, jumping from pedestal to wall, while totemic figures clad in traditional decorative motifs sport unusual accessories, such as a suitcase for a shoe, and a snorkel.
All is not quite what it seems, but deciphering DiMattio’s decorative codes is all part of the fun.
Head down to 47 Carnaby Street to get behind the lens of legendary photography Rankin. RankinLive – first launched in 2009 and back for the festive season – sees him swap famous faces for the general public to give anyone the chance to experience the thrills of a professional photo shoot. Those feeling camera shy can watch people’s images appear on screen instead.
Tickets (£500 a pop and best to pre-book) include a 15 minute shoot, a chance to instantly review the portraits and “green tag” your favourites, one authenticated A4 inkjet print of your chosen image delivered to a UK address, and one digital file for personal digital use. Pucker up…