Painting Time: Art and Ageing

The ‘hot young thing’ or an ‘old master’? At what age does an artist reach their creative potential? Many of the painters in our Collection showed exceptional talent early on in their careers. They embraced tradition and technical mastery or pushed creative boundaries. Others found inspiration later in life, producing their boldest, most daring work in old age. For some, the passing of time offered greater freedom. They no longer had to follow artistic conventions and could instead create their most meaningful work. Artists have also been drawn to the challenge of representing time itself. Portraits offer endless possibilities. With each passing day the human face changes, impacted by age, emotion and environment. But, when time keeps moving forward, what does it mean to capture a specific moment? How does time change an artist’s perspective, both on their own work and the world around them? Alongside works from the Collection, this display also features two self-portraits by contemporary artist Marcelle Hanselaar. These works were inspired by 17th century painting, as well as her own reflections on life’s journey. Painting Time is part of Dulwich Picture Gallery’s Unlocking Paintings series presenting new perspectives on the Gallery’s Collection.