Male beauty

What does the ideal man look like? Can we find him on the walls of the National Gallery? Explore how perceptions of male beauty have evolved from the Renaissance to Impressionism in this thought-provoking guided tour.

Through a selection of paintings, you’ll discover how artists have celebrated strength, youth, elegance, and character in the male form. From heroic Renaissance figures to the more naturalistic and expressive men of the Impressionist era, this tour invites you to reflect on changing ideals of masculinity and beauty, and what they reveal about the societies that created them.

Dr Matthew Morgan is a freelance art historian, educator and museum professional. He has been the Museum Director of Turner's House, and he is also an Associate Lecturer at Birkbeck, University of London. He has worked in the heritage sector for 10 years, including at the Royal Collection, the National Gallery and the Wallace Collection. Prior to that he was a Director in Christie’s Valuation Department. He has contributed to TV documentaries, podcasts, radio shows and has lectured widely across the country and made a series of short films which can be seen on YouTube.