The National Gallery in London is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year.
Over the past two centuries, it has acquired many hundreds of paintings for display, which from time to time go and visit other galleries across the country and the world so that other people can see them.
As part of the celebrations, they have decided that many of the famous paintings in their collection will go on display at the same time in different galleries across the UK for a special national exhibition called ‘National Treasures’.
With this in mind, Avanti West Coast has partnered up with the National Gallery, so that people can travel the country and see the famous artworks in the different galleries, in a move called ‘National Treasures by Rail’.
12 artworks have left their home in London and are currently on display across the country, each painting will be celebrated with tailored special events at each gallery.
Those ambitious to see all 12 artworks can travel with Avanti West Coast to visit three of them. Those that maybe considering visiting only a handful of exhibits, are also assured that half the UKs population will be with in an hour’s train journey of at least one of the twelve masterpieces.
Of those three paintings that can be reached using Avanti West Coast services, one is on display in Birmingham at the Ikon Gallery, which is playing host to Artemisia Gentileschi’s ‘Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria’.
‘The Rokeby Venus’ is on display at The Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, while Edinburgh‘s National Gallery is showing ‘A Young Woman Standing at a Virginal’ by Vermeer.
Avanti are promoting their support for the bi-centenary celebrations as something to do in the school holidays.
They are offering cheap Advance singles fares and flexible Superfare tickets, offering families and children a chance to travel by rail and experience these masterpieces at close quarters and take part in the special events at the galleries.
“We are proud to play a part in supporting the National Gallery with this fantastic campaign which will bring these masterpieces to cities around the UK.
“With the school holidays upon us, this is the perfect time to travel by train to be inspired by these paintings, as well as join in with all the creative events which will be run by each gallery.”
Sarah Copley, Commercial Director at Avanti West Coast,
Responses
You have to wonder at Avanti’s PR Department ( assuming they know what such a thing is). For a start , Avanti itself public perception wise, is hardly compatible with the concept of “National Treasure” (Virgin during it’s long and ultimately successful tenure of running trains on WCML, probably was).With their operational record, you would be likely to see graffiti art work in toilet of your departure station.
To coin a phrase “are they having a laff”.