The Gothic and the Sublime

1.30 - 2.30 pm

Step into the world of Gothic art.

Trace its roots from the medieval cathedrals and religious masterpieces of 12th to 14th-century northern Europe and France, with highlights from our exceptional collection in the Sainsbury Wing. Originally commissioned by religious patrons, these works exemplify the grandeur and spirituality of the Gothic era.

Beyond its medieval origins, explore the 19th and early 20th-century Gothic revival: a cultural movement intertwined with the Sublime, marked by awe, mystery, and sometimes terror.

Discover connections between visual art and literature, from Caspar David Friedrich’s haunting landscapes to Mary Shelley’s iconic ‘Frankenstein’, and even Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’, and learn about the ideas that inspired artists and writers alike, thus creating a rich and enduring legacy.

3.30 - 4.30 pm

Step into the Sublime.

A powerful artistic reaction to the Enlightenment’s belief in human control over nature. Rooted in the Romantic movement and defined in the 18th century by philosopher Edmund Burke, the Sublime captures the awe-inspiring and sometimes fearsome grandeur of the natural and metaphysical worlds.

Experience masterpieces that embody this concept, from JMW Turner to George Stubbs, William Blake and French visionaries like Eugène Delacroix and Théodore Géricault.

Discover how later artists, including Paul Cezanne, drew on the extraordinary to evoke feelings of wonder and transcendence.