This latest display at the National Portrait Gallery celebrates Russian culture, with a number of portraits of familiar faces – but is it worth going to see?
The Guardian: ****Jonathan Jones wrote: “The faces may be famous but this exhibition introduces us to the remarkable artists who painted them, shamefully unknown in the west.”
The Telegraph:**** Mark Hudson thought: “This relatively small show provides not only a vivid and intimate survey of an extraordinary period, but a kind of advert for the virtues of the painted portrait itself.”
The Upcoming: ***Mersa Auda found that: “the exhibition does not provide depth, and it can seem to be little more than a pictorial hall of fame, it will certainly be complemented by the talks and events organised around it, as well as a little off-site background research.”
Evening Standard: *** Ben Luke summed the exhibition by saying: “unless you have a deep knowledge of Russian culture, there will be plenty you haven’t heard of.”
Love London Love Culture: “it is a display that deserves a lot more space to be more fully appreciated and just to add a touch of finesse that is just slightly lacking in terms of more detail about this period.”
Culture Whisper: **** “the strength of this show is in the intensity, living and dying, of its gloriously real art.”
Time Out: ****Eddy Frankel said: “A lot of them are unremarkable as works in themselves, but the show tells a fascinating story of a country in turmoil.”
Russia and the Arts is on display at the National Portrait Gallery until the 26th June. For more information and to book tickets visit: http://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/russia-and-the-arts/exhibition.php.