Velázquez's 'The Rokeby Venus' at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
DESCRIPTION
The Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, has one of the most important and renowned painting collections in the UK. The collection includes European Renaissance paintings; masterpieces by Rubens, Rembrandt, Turner, and Stubbs; Pre-Raphaelite, Impressionist, and contemporary works by Hockney and Rose Wylie; and the winners of the John Moores Painting Prize.
The Walker Art Gallery will be displaying 'The Rokeby Venus' and challenging traditional readings of the painting by setting it alongside unexpected artworks by women and nonbinary artists from their collection. These include Ethel Walker’s 'The Spanish Gesture', photographs by René Matic and Zanele Muholi, and Harriet Hosmer’s 'Puck'.
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Audio description of Velázquez's 'The Rokeby Venus'
Stop 1, Velázquez in Liverpool.
In this first audio guide, Kate O'Donoghue, curator of international fine art at the Walker Art Gallery, introduces Velázquez’ masterpiece.Stop 2, Velázquez in Liverpool.
In this second audio guide, Kate O'Donoghue immerses us in the exhibition created around the Rokeby Venus. It’s a display which celebrates beauty, and challenges expectations. The picture has historically been considered an emblem of male voyeurism. As Kate guides us through the gallery, we see work by women and non-binary artists, and view Velazquez’ painting with fresh eyes.Stop 3, Velázquez in Liverpool.
In this third audio guide we’re introduced to one of the most sexy women in the history of art. Melissa Gustin, curator of British art at the Walker Art Gallery, investigates the reputation of the Rokeby Venus, and how this exhibition plays with gender in painting.Stop 4, Velázquez in Liverpool.
This final audio guide takes us into the centre of Liverpool to explore its creative scene. Alex Patterson, Assistant Curator of Fine Art at the Walker Art Gallery, introduces us to some Liverpool artists in the exhibition, who help us see the Rokeby Venus with fresh eyes.