The Best Art Exhibitions to Explore this Winter in London

Whether you’re a fan of the Italian Renaissance, captivated by the swirling drama of artwork by Van Gogh, or intrigued by the haunting intensity of Francis Bacon, these three exhibitions are not to be missed this season.

_{© Royal Academy of Arts}

Royal Academy of Arts: Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael – Florence, c. 1504

Renaissance dreams come to life at the Royal Academy this winter with a once-in-a-lifetime exploration of the epic rivalry between Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael. Set in Florence at the dawn of the 16th century, this exhibition tells the story of three artistic titans as they competed for the favour of Florence’s elite patrons.

Marvel at masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s Taddei Tondo and Leonardo’s Burlington House Cartoon, alongside drawings and preparatory works for murals that shaped the history of Western art. This exhibition is a deep dive into the drama, ambition, and sheer genius that defined the Italian Renaissance.

_{Vincent van Gogh Lullaby: Madame Augustine Roulin Rocking a Cradle (La Berceuse), 1889, oil on canvas, 92.7 x 72.7 cm, Bequest of John T. Spaulding (48.548) © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston}

_{Vincent van Gogh Sunflowers, 1889, oil on canvas, 92.4 × 71.1 cm, The Mr. and Mrs. Carroll S. Tyson, Jr., Collection (1963-116-19)}

_{© Philadelphia Museum of Art}

National Gallery: Van Gogh – Poets and Lovers & Discover Constable & The Hay Wain

Prepare to be swept away by the vivid imagination of Vincent van Gogh in Van Gogh – Poets and Lovers, an extraordinary exhibition celebrating the National Gallery’s 200th anniversary. This stunning collection brings together Van Gogh’s most iconic works, including Starry Night over the Rhône, The Yellow House, and Sunflowers. Focused on the transformative years he spent in Arles and Saint-Rémy, the exhibition showcases landscapes full of poetic intensity, inspired by the writers and artists he adored. With dazzling colours and emotive brushstrokes, Van Gogh’s art captures not just what he saw, but what he felt.

Tickets for this highly anticipated exhibition may be sold out, but don’t miss the chance to explore Discover Constable & The Hay Wain at the National Gallery, running until 2 February 2025. Dive into John Constable’s masterpieces, including the iconic The Hay Wain, and experience the beauty of his serene, atmospheric landscapes.

_{Study for Self-Portrait, 1963 by Francis Bacon © The Estate of Francis Bacon. All rights reserved, DACS/Artimage 2024. Photo: Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd. Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales.}

_{Self-Portrait, 1973, 1973 by Francis Bacon © The Estate of Francis Bacon. All rights reserved, DACS/Artimage 2024. Photo: Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd. Private Collection.}

National Portrait Gallery: Francis Bacon – Human Presence

Dive into the raw emotion of Francis Bacon’s portraits in this powerful exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. Featuring more than 50 works from the 1940s onwards, Human Presence captures Bacon’s intimate yet haunting exploration of human vulnerability, love, and loss.

Highlights include large-scale portraits of his close friends and lovers, including Lucian Freud, Peter Lacy, and George Dyer, as well as deeply personal self-portraits. These works reveal Bacon’s ability to distort the human form to express profound emotion, creating a sense of both connection and unease.