‘You are invited to
Buckingham Palace’… Now that is a phrase
to seize anyone’s attention. I am a naturally curious soul and had always
wanted to take a peek inside the palace. I have never done the tour that one
can do in the summer months and so I have never seen the Picture Gallery – with
its wonderful collection. The reason for
my new invitation was to discuss the production of CANALETTO AND THE ART OF
VENICE - AT THE QUEEN’S GALLERY, BUCKINGHAM PALACE. Now, if you haven’t been to see an exhibition
at the Queen’s Gallery then you have been missing out. The Royal Collection has around a million
objects under its care so they can put on the most wonderful exhibitions from
their own stores. The Collection itself
contains works from a dozen or so royal locations throughout Britain and is a
wonderful national resource.
When we
heard about the possible Canaletto exhibition we knew right away it would make
a great film. Who wouldn’t be excited to film in Buckingham Palace and Windsor
Castle? But even more than that, I hope any art lover would share with me the
thrill of being able to take a really close look at the wonders of 18th
century Venice. Canaletto is the best-known
artist of that period but far from the only one worthy of our attention. As
ever, I am fascinated to know ‘why then and why there?’ If there is one European city that really
can be called unique then it is Venice. What an extraordinary city – and a city
that over the centuries of its unconquered empire produced some of history’s
great artists.
Canaletto is certainly
among them but sometimes can be a little misunderstood. Some might think he
simply does accurate portrayals of Venice landscapes to be then sold to both
locals and travellers. Anyone thinking
that would be wrong. He is, in fact, a master storyteller in light who plays
with reality for his own purposes. To
see his works out of their frames in the labs at Windsor or hanging in pride of
place in Buckingham Palace – and to then listen to the two wonderful curators
Lucy Whitaker and Rosie Razzall talking with great knowledge and insight – is a
privilege which our film will share with you.
Or if, like me, you also fancy a peek inside one of the world’s great
palaces, yes we can offer you that too!
