National Gallery workers are recreating famous artworks to make quarantine bearable

28 April 2020, 11:42 | Updated: 29 April 2020, 13:44

These guys are seriously winning at ‘Tussen Kunst & Quarantaine’...

The great artist Henri Matisse once said “creativity takes courage” – and for those putting themselves out there in the ‘Tussen Kunst & Quarantaine’ challenge to keep us entertained through coronavirus quarantine, we’re grateful.

To recap – the challenge itself is to pick an artwork, recreate it from three items you have in your home, and share it online. Points for creativity (and cats).

And the results have been worth every minute. From the efforts of the every-person, to workers from the Getty Museum in LA, we’ve seen some corkers. And now the rockstars at National Gallery in London are joining in and recreating famous works of art from their home gallery’s collection.

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An apple a day 🙌🏼#tussenkunstenquarantaine #betweenartandquarantine #artchallenge #usedprops✔️#magritte #swipeforallinterpretations #sonofaman @ingbrg_ @saharfardmehregan @mashrooms.greenhouse @cartergamberini @okjamesuk @josephjwalkerart @astronot_23 #missingafew

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It’s not just for fun, either – there’s some method behind the madness (as they say). National Gallery’s Head of Digital Services, Lawrence Chiles, explains: “We are always looking to find ways for audiences to connect with the collection and the painting re-creations was such an immediate way of doing that.

“We were inspired by individuals and organisations around the world and only felt right that the National Gallery staff should participate and get involved. It was a fun way to join in and a simple way.”

Chiles adds that “these are paintings the staff work with or see every day” as part of their jobs and that they’re “all missing that connection”.

In the hands of the experts, the results of ‘Tussen Kunst & Quarantaine’ are truly simply awe-inspiring. Well done, guys.

1. You can never go wrong with a cat and a grimace

   

2. All good conversation starts with the lute

   

3. Poised Van Eyck

   

4. And paired Van Eyck (more points would have been awarded for a real dog)

   

5. A new take on a familiar face

   

6. When a painting looks right through you...

   

7. It’s all in the details

   

8. Points for atmosphere

   

9. We just want to know what’s in the bucket keeping the family pooch in shot

   

10. Self portrait as Head of Press as Catherine of Alexandria

    

The National Gallery is temporarily closed due to COVID-19 social distancing measures, but you can explore the collection online at nationalgallery.org.uk.