Page 58 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

56  BRIT AIN AND IRELAND

Valuable works of 5 Tate Britain
art, such as The Music Millbank SW1. Tel 020-7887 8888.
Lesson (c.1660) by 1 Pimlico. @ 77a, 88, 507, C10.
Dutch master Jan g between Tate Britain and Tate
Vermeer, are on Modern. Open 10am–6pm daily.
display in the Picture Closed Dec 24–26. & for major
Gallery. A selection exhibitions. 7 8 0 - =
of works from the ∑ tate.org.uk
monarch’s art
collection, one of Founded in 1897, the Tate Gallery,
the finest and most now called Tate Britain, focuses
valuable in the primarily on British art. Many of
world, is displayed in the modern works formerly kept
the Queen’s Gallery, here have been moved to the
a small building Tate Modern (see p67), further
located to one side down the Thames River.
of the palace. The Tate Britain shows the world’s
famous Changing of largest display of British art,
the Guard takes ranging from Tudor times to
place on the palace present day, in line with
forecourt. Crowds the original intention of the
gather to watch the gallery’s sponsor, sugar
colorful half-hour magnate Sir Henry Tate.
parade of guards, One of the most exquisite early
dressed in red works is a portrait of a bejeweled
The Victoria Monument, Buckingham Palace jackets and tall, furry Elizabeth I (c.1575), by Nicholas
hats called bearskins, Hilliard. The influence of the
4 Buckingham exchanging the palace keys. 17th-century Flemish artist Sir
Palace State coaches and other Anthony van Dyck on English
official vehicles may be viewed painters can be seen in William
SW1. Tel 020-7766 7300. 1 St. at the Royal Mews nearby. The Dobson’s Endymion Porter (1642–
James’s Park, Victoria, Green Park. star exhibit is the gold state 5) and the works of Thomas
@ C1, C10, 11, 16, 36, 38, 52, 73, 211. coach built for George III in Gainsborough (1727–88).
State Rooms: Open end Jul–end Sep: 1761, with fine panels by Among the collection are
daily. & 8 7 phone first. Queen’s Giovanni Cipriani. some fine examples of William
Gallery: & Changing of the Guard:
11:30am on alternate days (subject to Overlooking the forecourt, Hogarth’s sharply satirical
change). Tel 020-7321 2233. - the East Wing facade of the pictures. The famed horse
∑ royalcollection.org.uk palace was redesigned by paintings of George Stubbs
Aston Webb in 1913. He also include Mares and Foals in a
The Queen’s official London created the spacious, tree-lined Landscape (1760).
home is a very popular avenue known as the Mall, Tate Britain holds a large
attraction. Conversion of the which leads from the palace number of paintings by the
18th-century Buckingham to Trafalgar Square. Used for visionary poet and artist William
House was begun for George IV royal processions on special
in 1826, but the first monarch occasions, the Mall is closed
to occupy the palace was to traffic on Sundays. The
Queen Victoria, in 1837. When national flags of foreign heads
the monarch is in residence, of state fly from its flagpoles
the Royal Standard flag during official visits.
is flown. The avenue follows the edge
The palace tour takes visitors of St. James’s Park, a reserve
up the grand staircase and for wildfowl and popular
through the splendor of the picnic spot in the heart of the
state rooms. The royal family’s city. Originally a marsh, the
private apartments are not park was drained by Henry VIII
open to the public. and incorporated into his
In the Music Room, royal hunting grounds. Later,
babies are christened and Charles II redesigned it as a
state guests presented. The fashionable promenade, with
Queen carries out many an aviary along its southern
formal ceremonies in the edge (from which Birdcage
richly gilded Throne Room, and Walk takes its name). In
the Ballroom is used for state summer, concerts are held The portico of the Tate Britain building,
banquets and investitures. on the park bandstand. dating from 1897
For hotels and restaurants see pp104–6 and pp107–9

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