Hull, City of Culture 2017. Ferens Art Gallery

As part of Hull City of Culture 2017, Ferens Art Gallery in the heart of the old city by Princess Quay has been newly refurbished and recently reopened.  I was especially impressed by two exhibits: The Lorenzetti Exhibition and work by Francis Bacon.

Christ Between Saints Paul and Peter, Pietro Lorenzetti c.1320

This painting was acquired for Ferens with the assistance of the National Gallery.  Born in Siena in the late 13th century, Lorenzetti died a victim of The Black Death in 1348.  As well as in Florence and Siena his work features in the Basillica in Assisi and I have been fortunate enough to see it there.

The painting is on a wooden panel and would originally been part of a much larger altar piece.  It is a major painting by a very important painter; of great rarity and value.  It is the only fully signed work by Lorenzetti in the UK.  In the painting Christ holds up his hand in blessing and is flanked by St Paul holding an ornate sword, the symbolism of which is not fully understoon and by St Peter holding a bunch of keys.  In the painting Lorenzetti prtrays the humanity of Christ and the saints unlike earlier Byzantine art. Colours are vibrant, rich and sumptuous with gold, reds and blues.

I found the work incredibly moving and have also enjoyed  similar work in an exhibition in Prague and in museums in Perugia, Umbria as well as Assisi.  The gallery is worth a visit for this painting alone.

Francis Bacon

Part of the new permanent display features six works by Francis Bacon.  They include his painting 'Nervous System' as well as 'Head VI' and four others from his 'Screaming Pope' series.  These painting are large and impressive.  I enjoyed them, but found them somewhat unsettling.

Images

Lorenzetti, P. (c.1320) Christ Between Saints Paul and Peter, [Paint on wood panel altar piece], [online image]  Ferens Art Gallery Available from https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/news/whats-new/national-gallery-assists-in-the-acquisition-of-a-rare-renaissance-work [Accessed 31.3.17]

Bacon, F. (1949) Head VI, [Oils] [online image]. Ferens Art Gallery. Available from: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6f/Head_VI_%281949%29.JPG [Accessed 31.3.17]