Leonardo Da Vinci at the National Gallery

Until 5th February 2012

 

Head to London's National Gallery to see the largest ever exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci's surviving paintings. The display concentrates on da Vinci's career as a court painter in Milan, where he worked for the city's ruler Ludovico Maria Sforza, known as il Moro (the Moor), in the 1480s and 1490s. This is a rare opportunity to see almost every surviving picture painted by da Vinci in Milan during this period.

The show features more than 60 paintings and drawings by da Vinci and his close collaborators.

Highlights include:
    * The Portrait of a Musician, da Vinci's only portrait of a man
    * A portrait of Saint Jerome now owned by the Vatican
    * The Lady with an Ermine, a celebrated portrait of il Moro's mistress Cecilia Gallerani
    * Belle Ferronnière, possibly a portrait of il Moro's duchess or one of his mistresses
    * Virgin of the Rocks, an elaborate sculpted alter
    * A full-scale copy of da Vinci's The Last Supper by his pupil Giampietrino
    * 33 sketches and studies borrowed from the Royal Collection

 

 For more information or to book tickets, please visit the website.

 

 

Damien Hirst Diamond Skull

Tate Modern, 4th April - 9th September 2012. Free admission.

 

One of the most expensive pieces of art ever created sold by a living artist, the Damien Hirst diamond skull is set to be part of his solo show at Tate Modern for 2012. Part of the eponymously named Damien Hirst exhibition that covers the familiar ground of bisected animals in formaldehyde, golden cows and Hirsts obsession with death and religion, the platinum and diamond skull is certain to be one of the most viewed pieces.  The Damien Hirst exhibition at Tate Modern, with the Damien Hirst diamond skull on show in the Turbine Hall, takes place from Wednesday 4th April - Sunday 9th September 2012. Entrance to see the skull is free, but there is an admission price for the full exhibition.

For more information, please visit the website.

 

War Horse: Fact & Fiction

National Army Museum, until August 2012

 

A major special exhibition exploring the hugely popular 'War Horse' novel. A hands-on interactive exhibition for all the family, this compelling story will be brought to life using exclusive material from Michael Morpurgo and the acclaimed stage production by the National Theatre. The touching 'real life' stories of the horses and men who depended on them will be illustrated through the Museum's rich collection encouraging visitors to think about the millions of War Horses who have supported the British Army across time.

 

For more information please visit the website.

 

Diamond Jubilee Celebration Exhibition

Buckingham Palace, 1st August - 30th September 2012, 9.45am - 6.30pm

 

A spectaular Diamond Jubilee celebration exhibition takes place for the 2012 summer opening of Buckingham Palace with a sparkling showcase of diamonds. Featuring diamonds that have been given, inheirited, restored and reset, this exhibition is a must-see for any lovers of royal bling.

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II celebrates 60 years on the throne in 2012 and to mark the occassion several prestigious events are taking place around the capital. With many details still under wraps, apart from the extra bank holiday, the one place you can be sure will be getting into the spirit of celebration is Buckingham Palace itself, with an exhibition simply entitled Diamonds.

 

War Story: Serving in Afghanistan

Imperial War Museum until 30th November 2012

 

Since the First World War, the Imperial War Museum has collected people's stories of war and conflict, and now through the War Story project, we have been given unprecedented access to British service personnel currently serving in Afghanistan allowing us to record their first-hand experiences of the conflict for present and future generations.

From this October the new War Story display offers you a unique chance to discover the soldiers' compelling stories of being in Afghanistan. Set in IWM London's grand Large Exhibits Gallery, the display will feature 15 personal artefacts as well as video footage, images and interviews. This is the first time that the majority of the material collected will be on public display. Most of the artefacts, videos and photographs on display will also be described and explained in the words and voices of the men and women who wore, used or created them. 

 

For more information, visit the Imperial War Museum website.

 

 

Firepower: Royal Artillary Museum, Woolwich

 

On the Thames-side site at Woolwich where the Regiment of the Royal Artillery - the Gunners - was established in the early eighteenth century, three listed buildings, including Europe's oldest military academy (thought to be designed by Hawksmoor and the location where Wellington drew up his battle plans) house an attraction telling the story of the Gunners, alongside an interactive history of artillery and an attempt to reckon the human cost of conflict through film, poetry and music. The attraction's Cold War Gallery provides a chronological tour from 1945 to the present. Exhibits include rare post-war guns and images of significant events such as the fall of the Berlin Wall. To view the website for more info, please click here.