Landscape Oil Sketches

The Landscape Oil Sketch is a new exhibition in Room 1 of the National Gallery, continuing until 6 April 2008, admission free. Most of the exhibits are taken from the Gere Collection, which is on long-term loan to the Gallery. These sketches were self-training exercises not intended for sale. The idea was to work fast and catch the fleeting effects of natural light. Only the Impressionists had the cheek to sell such sketches as finished works of art! Frederic, Lord Leighton's little training sketch The Villa Malta, Rome (1860's) knocks spots off anything the Impressionists produced. This is a must-see exhibition. Click the title link for details.