National Gallery presents “Paula Rego: Crivelli’s Garden”

From 20 July to 29 October 2023 the National Gallery in London presents “Paula Rego: Crivelli’s Garden”, an exhibition that explores the relationship of Rego’s ‘Crivelli’s Garden’ to the 15th-century altarpiece that inspired it.

Source: The National Gallery · Image (top): Image: Paula Rego, ‘Crivelli’s Garden’, 1990–1, the National Gallery, London. Presented by English Estates, 1991 © Paula Rego Photo credit: The National Gallery, London // Image (bottom): Carlo Crivelli, ‘Predella of La Madonna della Rondine’, after 1490. National Gallery, London

The death of Dame Paula Rego on 8 June 2022 makes this exhibition a poignant tribute to the work and life of one of the most important artists of her generation. “Paula Rego: Crivelli’s Garden” unites the two monumental artworks in the Gallery’s collection for the first time – inviting visitors to draw out direct comparisons – and will also show how members of National Gallery staff found their way into Dame Paula’s work.

During her residency, over the period of two years, Dame Paula Rego occupied the artist’s studio which was then in the basement of the Gallery. She would often describe her experience as being like a scurrying animal. To quote her from an interview about her time at the Gallery:

‘I could creep upstairs and snatch at things, and bring them down with me to the basement, where I could munch away at them. And what I brought down here from upstairs varied a lot, but I always brought something into my den.’

We can imagine that it was in this spirit that Crivelli’s Garden was made. The mural’s concept and structure were triggered by the predella panel of Carlo Crivelli’s altarpiece “La Madonna della Rondine” (after 1490, NG724).

Rego reimagined Crivelli’s house and garden to explore the narratives of women in biblical history and folklore based on paintings across the collection and stories from the medieval Golden Legend. Her figures inspired by the Virgin Mary, Saint Catherine, Mary Magdalene and Delilah, share the stage with other women from biblical and mythological histories.

Priyesh Mistry, Associate Curator, Contemporary and Modern, says ‘Dame Paula Rego’s radical painting has consistently given women a voice over repression in a male-dominated society and art world. Her work remains as vital today as it was 30 years ago when she first painted ‘Crivelli’s Garden’ and continues to serve as an inspiration to new generations of artists and writers. This exhibition is our opportunity at the National Gallery to celebrate her legacy and influence.’

National Gallery Director, Dr Gabriele Finaldi, says ‘Dame Paula Rego loved being in the National Gallery’s artist studio and relished being able to spend many hours with the paintings: They triggered her memory and imagination and led to the creation of a work both joyous and unsettling, ‘Crivelli’s Garden’, which mixes Renaissance saints, biblical heroines, fable and myth.’