10
September
2015
|
10:46
Europe/London

Celebrate your ginger self(ie) with Rossetti’s iconic redhead

Visitors to Guildhall Art Gallery are being invited to celebrate Redhead Day UK 2015 by taking a selfie with Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s La Ghirlandata, one of the finest pre-Raphaelite masterpieces in the world.

The famous redhead, painted by Rossetti in 1873, is one of the most instantly recognised works of art in the City of London Corporation’s extensive collection and is on permanent display in the City’s official art gallery near the Bank of England. The painting features on the front cover of Jacky Colliss Harvey’s new book, Red: A Natural History of the Redhead, which will be offered to the three winners of a special prize draw at the gallery.

The invitation to visit Guildhall Art Gallery coincides with Redhead Day UK 2015 (www.redheaddayuk.co.uk / @RedheadDay_UK) on Saturday 12 September at the Candid Arts Trust in Islington, which is being organised by Jess Shailes of Everything for Redheads (everythingforredheads.co.uk), Emma Kelly of Ginger Parrot (gingerparrot.co.uk) and Barry Singleton of Ginger with Attitude (ginger-with-attitude.tumblr.com).

Sonia Solicari, Principal Curator at Guildhall Art Gallery, said:

“La Ghirlandata by Dante Gabriel Rossetti is one of our best known and most popular art works, memorably used as the backdrop for Colin Firth’s Freedom of the City of London photo call three years ago. In the run-up to Redhead Day UK on 12 September, my colleagues and I will look forward to welcoming all visitors – redheads and others! – to the art gallery for their selfie with the strikingly beautiful Alexa Wilding and we send our best wishes to the organisers and flame-haired fans of Redhead Day for a highly successful and joyful event.”

Guildhall Art Gallery is situated in Guildhall Yard, EC2, five minutes’ walk from the Bank of England. The art gallery displays works dating from 1670 to the present, including seventeenth century portraits and paintings documenting London's dramatic history. The art gallery’s basement houses the preserved remains of London’s Roman Amphitheatre.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

PRESS ENQUIRIES:

Andrew Buckingham, Media Officer (Features), City of London Corporation

Tel: 020 7332 1452 / Mobile: 07795 333 060

Email andrew.buckingham@cityoflondon.gov.uk

ABOUT THE CITY OF LONDON CORPORATION:

The City of London Corporation is a uniquely diverse organisation. It supports and promotes the City as the world leader in international finance and business services and provides local services and policing for those working in, living in and visiting the Square Mile. It also provides valued services to London and the nation. These include the Barbican Centre and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama; the Guildhall Library and Art Gallery and London Metropolitan Archives; a range of education provision (including three City Academies); five Thames bridges (including Tower Bridge and the Millennium Bridge); the Central Criminal Court at Old Bailey; over 10,000 acres of open spaces (including Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest), and three wholesale food markets. It is also London’s Port Health Authority and runs the Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow. It works in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on the regeneration of surrounding areas and the City Bridge Trust, which it oversees, donates more than £15m to charity annually.

ABOUT GUILDHALL ART GALLERY:

Guildhall Art Gallery was established in 1886 as 'a Collection of Art Treasures worthy of the capital city'. See works dating from 1670 to the present, including seventeenth century portraits, Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces and a fascinating range of paintings documenting London's dramatic history. General admission to Guildhall Art Gallery is FREE; however, an entrance fee may be charged for some exhibitions, with concessionary rates for senior citizens, registered unemployed and registered disabled.

Monday - Saturday, 10am - 5pmSunday, 12pm - 4pm

Call 020 7332 3700 / textphone 020 7332 3803 for a daily recorded message or for more information. Email guildhall.artgallery@cityoflondon.gov.uk and follow @GuildhallArt