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Birds in art

A feathered tour of the collection

Tours
Date
Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Time
Session times
  • 1.30 - 2.30 pm
  • 3.30 - 4.30 pm
Audience
For House and Exhibition Members

Tickets

Members: £20

This event is available to those with a Member, Member & Guest, Exhibition or House Membership.

Please meet in the Sainsbury Wing Foyer to collect your headsets and meet your host for the guided walking tour.

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About

Expert guide Matthew Sutherland traces the beauty, symbolism and storytelling of birds in art. From delicate songbirds to majestic raptors, discover how painters across centuries have used these subjects to convey emotion, allegory and some hidden messages. Matthew will reveal the details that bring the creatures to life on canvas, inviting you to take a closer look at the sometimes familiar masterpieces with a new perspective.

Your host

Matthew Sutherland is an art historian with a BA in History of Art, an MA from Kingston University in Art Market and Appraisal and an MA from UCL in Museums and Galleries in Education. He is a qualified London Blue Badge guide who specialises in guiding London’s many art museums and galleries and is a member of the team of Blue Badge guides who regularly guide the National Gallery.