What's happened
The National Portrait Gallery in London has appointed its first female director, Victoria Siddall, while Gainsborough's House in Suffolk prepares for a new exhibition featuring contemporary self-portraits. Meanwhile, the Rubens House in Antwerp will unveil a new welcome center and garden on September 6, 2024.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Independent, Victoria Siddall expressed her excitement about leading the National Portrait Gallery, stating, "I’m truly honoured to have the opportunity to lead the National Portrait Gallery, a museum that holds the world’s greatest collection of portraits." Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post reported on the Rubens House reopening, emphasizing its historical significance: "While the core of the house remains closed until at least 2030 for ongoing renovations, the dazzling new welcome centre and the redesigned garden will open their doors on September 6." The BBC highlighted the upcoming exhibition at Gainsborough's House, noting it as a "remarkably generous collaboration" that contrasts historical and contemporary self-portraits, showcasing the evolution of artistic identity.
How we got here
Victoria Siddall's appointment follows a significant refurbishment of the National Portrait Gallery, which reopened in June 2023. Gainsborough's House has recently expanded, and the Rubens House has been undergoing renovations since 2020, with parts reopening this weekend.
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