Revealing allegories – Renaissance Night at The National Gallery

‘Insight into truth is cloaked in fable…’  Bernard Silvestris, 1150

Renaissance artists loved to hide symbols, stories, and allegories inside their paintings. Artists drew on ancient Greek and Roman myths for inspiration, reinterpreting the stories and giving them their own meanings. For Renaissance artists these myths revealed divine truths, and by gazing on a painting and it’s mysterious symbolism, viewer and owner could be imbued with beauty, grace, or wisdom. I found Malcolm Bull’s engrossing study ‘The Mirror of the Gods: Classical Mythology in Renaissance Art’ a rich exploration of why ancient myths got rediscovered during Renaissance times.

I am part of this long chain of artists who believe there is value in re-telling old tales for new audiences. For Renaissance Night at The National Gallery I will take the audience through several galleries, reinterpreting the reinterpreted! I will bring to life myths beloved by Renaissance artists, and using spoken-word and strange musical sounds, will try to unravel the  allegorical world of the paintings.

Tintoretto’s ‘The Origin of the Milky Way’ is inspired by a Roman myth, and is full of hidden symbolism. Come and find out: what the peacock represents; who the baby is; what the eagle holds in it’s claws; and how milk turns into stars! Let your eyes feast on luscious paintings – and discover what you might be imbued with!

Renaissance Night at The National Gallery
Friday August 12  from 5pm – 8pm
There will be Renaissance music, gallery talks, drawing workshops,
and my promenade performance.
6  – 7 pm for my performance.
The performance is free and for children aged 7 upwards, and adults.
Audiences are encouraged to come dressed in Renaissance costume!