In celebration of the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Christie’s stages two exhibitions during the month of May in London and takes on the role as auctioneer of choice for BBC Children in Need’s Royally Big Portrait. This is a significant moment in British history—a time to celebrate the diverse talent and creativity in our communities, and the rich history that has shaped our culture and understanding of the world.
Our exhibitions open on 2 May, each embracing an important aspect in this unique blend of tradition and modernity: of reflecting on the role of the past and looking forward to the future. Christie’s marks 400 years of Shakespeare’s First Folio in the largest display of editions ever assembled in the United Kingdom, revisiting the lasting influence of England’s national poet’s unique gift to our language and imagination. At the same time, we are delighted to, once again, play host to the Royal Drawing School and their exhibition in honour of the Coronation, showcasing commissioned works by the School’s alumni alongside works on paper by graduates of the School’s Drawing Year programme, selected from His Majesty The King’s archive.
Visit Christie’s at 8 King Street in London from 2 to 26 May and join the festivities in the midst of extraordinary art, objects and stories. Entry to our exhibitions is free and open to all.
Exhibition
Shakespeare’s First Folio: The First Four Hundred Years
Christie’s celebrates 400 years of Shakespeare’s First Folio by exhibiting the largest display of First Folios ever assembled in the United Kingdom. This special exhibition uniquely brings together six rarely-seen examples from British private and institutional libraries.
Exhibition
Royal Drawing School: Celebrating the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III & Queen Camilla
Christie’s is pleased to host the Royal Drawing School for an exhibition of works by the School’s alumni commissioned to mark the Coronation of their Royal Founding Patron, as well as works on paper by graduates of the School’s Drawing Year, selected from His Majesty The King’s archive.
Special features
Crowning glories: how portraits of British monarchs with their coronation regalia have changed over 600 years
To mark the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, we look at some of the splendid depictions of monarchs that have left an indelible mark on the history and iconography of royalty across six centuries.
On the line: how the Royal Drawing School has steered young artists back to a fundamental artistic skill
The sign on the door is refined and neutral; the warehouse building cool and understated. Number 22 Charlotte Road could easily be mistaken for one of the trendy design agencies that populate this thoroughfare between Hoxton and Shoreditch in east London. In fact, this former factory is home to a quiet revolution in art.
‘Not of an age, but for all time’: celebrating 400 years of Shakespeare’s First Folio
No one in history has had such a colossal impact on English literature and language as William Shakespeare. Oft-quoted, imitated, and acted on stages throughout the world, many of the words of Shakespeare could have been lost for ever had it not been for John Heminge and Henry Condell, the writer’s friends and fellow actors, who compiled Mr William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies, often referred to as the ‘First Folio’.
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Christie’s supports BBC Children in Need’s Royally Big Portrait
Christie’s is proud is play a role in BBC Children in Need’s record-breaking Royally Big Portrait event. Led by artist Sam Barnett, people across Britain were asked to get creative and draw their own portrait of His Majesty to create one giant digital portrait of the King in an effort to break the Guinness World Record for the most online contributions to a digital artwork.
Christie’s Education
Splendour at Court — From the Tudors to Today
Why do kings and queens wear ermine? How can we use art to help us decode courtly clothing? With the upcoming coronation of Charles III in mind Christie’s Education explores the emergence of traditions in dress and jewellery in a complimentary lecture.