Monochrome: Painting in Black and White
30 October 2017 – 18 February 2018
Explore the tradition of painting in black and white from its beginnings in the Middle Ages through the Renaissance and into the 21st century.
Painting using predominantly black-and-white pigments has long held a fascination for artists, yet there has never been a major exhibition on the subject.
‘Monochrome’ presents a series of case studies that investigate where and when grisaille painting was used and to what effect: from early religious works to paintings that emulate sculpture or respond to other media such as printmaking, photography, and film.
Comprising works on glass, vellum, ceramic, silk, wood, and canvas by artists such as Rembrandt, Picasso, Richter and an immersive light installation by Olafur Eliasson, ‘Monochrome’ encourages visitors to trace the fascinating but little-studied history of black-and-white painting.
Exhibition organised by the National Gallery in collaboration with Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf.
Pre-book online and save – best ticket prices available online.
All groups which number more than 6 people should book with Groupline: 020 7206 1173 (no booking fees, lines open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm). Groups of more than 10 people cannot book tickets online.
Image Credit: Detail from Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres and workshop, 'Odalisque in Grisaille' (detail), about 1824-34 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art / Art Resource / Scala, Florence