Essential Information

Type Talks and tours
Location
Queen's House
Date and Times 12-14 January 2024 | 10.30am-5pm
Prices Free

Hailed as a 'first-rate exhibition' by The Daily Telegraph, our special exhibition The Van de Veldes: Greenwich, Art and the Sea is closing its doors on 14 January 2024.

To mark the final days of the show, join our series of free tours and talks to uncover the life, times and legacy of the celebrated marine artists.

Set sail for Greenwich, and experience the art of the Van de Veldes.

Event programme

Friday 12 January

Gallery Talk: Kehinde Wiley and Ship of Fools

10.30am and 3.15pm, Governor’s Parlour

A painting of three people in a boat at sea

A world-renowned visual artist, Kehinde Wiley is best known for his paintings that reimagine western art traditions.

This free talk will explore the different aspects of his work, Ship of Fools. This powerful marine painting explores themes including migration and the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade.

The work is part of Royal Museums Greenwich’s permanent collection and is on display in the Queen’s House.

The Van de Veldes Highlights Tour

11.30am and 3.45pm, starting in the Great Hall

This guided tour uncovers the story of Dutch artists, Willem van de Velde the Elder and Younger.

Find out about their artistic career, their time working in the Queen's House and their influence on British marine art.

  • Suitability: This tour is suitable for ages 12+.
  • Tour size: The tour has a capacity of 20 people. Wristbands can be collected on the day from the admissions desk, located at the entrance of the House. Wristbands will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.
  • Accessibility: The tour passes through several galleries located on different floors of the House. Step-free access is available via lift and access ramps.

Saturday 13 January

Art Workshop

11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm, Undercroft

Come and join our free drop-in drawing workshop, which explores the techniques used by the marine artists, Willem van de Velde the Elder and Younger.

Please be aware that this event has a maximum capacity of 12 people.

Gallery Talk: The Escape of Charles II

12pm and 1.15pm, King’s Anteroom

After the Battle of Worcester in 1651, Charles II spent the next few weeks avoiding capture to escape the country.

This free talk recounts the dramatic events which led to the restoration of the monarchy in 1660.

The Van de Veldes Highlights Tour

11.15am and 3.15pm, starting in the Great Hall

This guided tour uncovers the story of Dutch artists, Willem van de Velde the Elder and Younger.

Find out about their artistic career, their time working in the Queen's House and their influence on British marine art.

  • Suitability: This tour is suitable for ages 12+.
  • Tour size: The tour has a capacity of 20 people. Wristbands can be collected on the day from the admissions desk, located at the entrance of the House. Wristbands will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.
  • Accessibility: The tour passes through several galleries located on different floors of the House. Step-free access is available via lift and access ramps.

Sunday 14 January

Art Workshop

11am–1pm and 2pm–4pm, Undercroft

Come and join our free drop-in drawing workshop, which explores images of boats and ships.

Please be aware that this event has a maximum capacity of 12 people.

Gallery Talk: The Escape of Charles II

12pm and 1.15pm, King’s Anteroom

After the Battle of Worcester in 1651, Charles II spent the next few weeks avoiding capture to escape the country.

This free talk recounts the dramatic events which led to the restoration of the monarchy in 1660.

The Van de Veldes Highlights Tour

11.15am and 3.15pm, starting in the Great Hall

An interior shot of art exhibition The Van de Veldes: Greenwich, Art and the Sea at the Queen's House, showing an evocation of a 17th century artist studio

This guided tour uncovers the story of Dutch artists, Willem van de Velde the Elder and Younger.

Find out about their artistic career, their time working in the Queen's House and their influence on British marine art.

  • Suitability: This tour is suitable for ages 12+.
  • Tour size: The tour has a capacity of 20 people. Wristbands can be collected on the day from the admissions desk, located at the entrance of the House. Wristbands will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.
  • Accessibility: The tour passes through several galleries located on different floors of the House. Step-free access is available via lift and access ramps.

What’s On

Lunchtime Concerts
Events and festivals

Lunchtime Concerts

Enjoy musical performances in the Queen's House given by students from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance 
Select weekdays (see page for details) | 1pm-2pm
Free, drop in
Queen's House
Salons in the Queen's House: Queer Seas
Talks and tours | Salons in the Queen's House

Salons in the Queen's House: Queer Seas

Join historian Seth LeJacq to explore Evelyn De Morgan's extraordinary painting 'The Sea Maidens' and the history of the sea as a queer space in this free lunchtime gallery talk
Wednesday 10 July | 1pm-1.30pm
Free
Queen's House
Salons in the Queen’s House
Talks and tours

Salons in the Queen’s House

See the Queen’s House and its collections in a new light with this series of free lunchtime talks exploring art, architecture, history and our contemporary culture
Alternate Wednesdays | 1.00pm-1.30pm
Free
Queen's House
Salons in the Queen's House: A ‘lascivious’ painting for the Queen’s Bedchamber?
Talks and tours | Salons in the Queen's House

Salons in the Queen's House: A ‘lascivious’ painting for the Queen’s Bedchamber?

In this free lunchtime gallery talk, join Assistant Curator Vittoria Cervini to hear about one of the most prestigious artistic commissions of the 17th century, deemed too scandalous for the Queen’s House
Wednesday 24 July | 1pm-1.30pm
Free
Queen's House
Summer holidays at the Queen's House
Family fun

Summer holidays at the Queen's House

Join us at the Queen's House for a range of fun activities for families during the summer break
30 July - 27 August 2024 | 11am-2pm and 2pm-4pm
Free
Queen's House
Queer As Folklore
Talks and tours

Queer As Folklore

Join writer, historian and community organiser Sacha Coward for an evening exploring the queer roots of marine mythologies
Wednesday 14 August | 7pm-9.30pm
Adult: £6
Queen's House
BSL Tour: Portraits in the Queen's House
Talks and tours | BSL tours

BSL Tour: Portraits in the Queen's House

Join guide John Wilson for a British Sign Language (BSL) tour of the portraits in the Queen's House
Friday 6 December 2024 | 1.30pm-2.30pm
Free
Queen's House