Renaissance masterpieces go on display in Guernsey's high-security gallery
- Two Renaissance masterpieces are now on display in the Julius Baer Strong Room at Art for Guernsey Gallery
- The works are Madonna and Child by Francesco Francia from the 1490s and The Men's Bath by Albrecht Dürer
- A third piece by the Master of Perea from 1491 will be shown in due course
- The artworks are on loan from private collectors on the island through partnership with Julius Baer Guernsey
- The exhibition aims to give students and the public access to world-class art in a high-security environment
Two Renaissance artworks are now on display at the Art for Guernsey Gallery on Mansell Street, housed within the venue's high-security Julius Baer Strong Room.
The micro museum, which provides a climate-controlled environment for valuable pieces, is currently showcasing Madonna and Child by Francesco Francia, painted in the 1490s, alongside The Men's Bath, a woodcut print by Albrecht Dürer.
Francesco Francia was an Italian painter, goldsmith and medallist who became one of the most successful artists in Bologna during the Renaissance period. Dürer is widely regarded as the greatest artist of the Northern Renaissance.
A third work, painted by the Master of Perea in 1491, will be displayed in due course.
The exhibition includes an informative panel that explains the significance of the Renaissance period, described as a "fundamental shift in how humans perceived themselves and their place in the universe" that bridged the gap between the Middle Ages and the Modern era.
The artworks are on loan from private collectors on the island, made possible through the partnership with Julius Baer Guernsey, which sponsors the Strong Room facility.
David Ummels, founder of Art for Guernsey, said: "We are grateful to our sponsor, Julius Baer and to the collectors on the island who, whilst wishing to be discreet, are willing to lend their precious artworks for everyone to enjoy. Having a 'micro museum' in our gallery allows Art for Guernsey to create opportunities for islanders - especially schoolchildren and students - by removing the logistical barriers between them and world-class art. We are delighted to show these remarkable artworks from the Renaissance, which was a truly transformative period in art and humanity."
The Renaissance pieces are displayed alongside the current main exhibition, Sir Claude Francis Barry, An Enigmatic British Master Inspired by the Channel Islands.
The Art for Guernsey Gallery is open from 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Saturday.
Q&A
Q: What Renaissance artworks are currently on display at Art for Guernsey?
A: Madonna and Child by Francesco Francia from the 1490s and The Men's Bath, a woodcut print by Albrecht Dürer. A third work by the Master of Perea from 1491 will be shown in due course.
Q: What is the Julius Baer Strong Room?
A: It's a 'micro museum' within the Art for Guernsey Gallery that provides a high-security, climate-controlled environment for displaying valuable masterpieces that require special protection.
Q: What are the opening hours for the Art for Guernsey Gallery?
A: The gallery is open from 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Saturday on Mansell Street.
Comments ()