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Sargent and Women Artists exhibitions at the Tate Britain - I needed more time!!

I hope to do a trip report but want to put this out there for anyone visiting London soon.

Allow lots of time for the Tate Britain's special exhibitions. I often thought "I must be at the end of the exhibition" then discovered another room, then another...My Tate visits were highlights of my trip.

My husband and I just returned from a 17 night holiday in England. I was eager to see the John Singer Sargent special exhibition at the Tate Britain, but I ended up spending much more time at the museum than I expected. We arrived at the Tate and began in the free collection. I spent most of that time in Turner gallery before we stopped to eat in the museum cafe (perhaps 2 hours of galleries before eating).

My husband went on to see more of the general collection before walking and waiting outside. I decided to purchase a membership. The cost of the 2 main exhibitions was about half of a membership. I hope to return to visit at least one more time in the next 12 months. I spent at least another 2 hours just in the Sargent exhibition (60+ items). I read almost all the information, listened to several of the QR coded recordings (2-3 minutes--only a few of these) and I took photos of large information boards, some paintings and descriptions. I'm not a slow reader-- but I didn't shortchange myself on the special exhibitions. I allowed myself time to enjoy the works and take in the details which included history relevancy and curiosities. If I lived in London, I would return even to the special exhibitions.

The next day, I returned to see Now You See Us: Women Artists in Britain 1520–192. (150+ items). It is excellent. Again, I read most of the information and took photos. My phone died so I took a break from the exhibition to grab some soup (and the kind members' assistant charged my phone at his desk.) I spent at least a couple of hours in the exhibition and close to an hour in the lounge. There is so much more I wanted to see at the Tate Britain---and that doesn't include anything available at the Tate Modern.

https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/women-artists-in-britain-1520-1920

https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/sargent-and-fashion

Posted by
1453 posts

I’m glad you enjoyed it. I always find the special exhibitions at all the major London museums and galleries to be excellent and well worth the extra money.

Posted by
10285 posts

Thanks for the reminder Cherie! I will be in London next month (fingers crossed) so need to check about ticket availability.

Posted by
510 posts

There was only one half hour time slot that was sold out when I looked for Monday and Tuesday (I last looked on Sat, I believe). Of course, once I decided to get a membership it was a moot point as entry is unlimited and unscheduled for members.

It was great to see all the wonderful works of the women artists in the second exhibition. Reading about their contributions to women's rights (not only in the arts) was interesting.

Posted by
1309 posts

I assume you had your soup in the member's room at Tate Britain? It's a lovely space for a cup of tea. The staff there try to treat members very well I think.

Posted by
510 posts

Yes, I had the same soup in the Members' Lounge that I'd had the day before in the regular cafe (as it was a late lunch and they were out of the sandwich I wanted:).

I love that members use the lounge for meet ups with friends, computer work, and just relaxing between exhibition sessions. It was such a lovely space. I wish I had time to take in the Ten-minute Talks about museum subjects..sigh.

Posted by
1309 posts

Ah I hope you get to use your Tate membership again. They do sort of save the nicest room for members at Tate Britain :)

Tate Modern members room is great too. I used to enjoy a couple of drinks there after work on a Friday evening. If you snag a table on the balcony on a nice evening you've got a great view across to St Pauls at sunset.

Posted by
18 posts

Oh, that Sargent exhibit is magnificent - I got to see it at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston at the end of last year. The women artists exhibit looks fascinating as well.

Posted by
8157 posts

That's such a nice idea! I love getting memberships to places like that. And the Tate Britain is such a wonderful museum!

Posted by
5471 posts

Oh my goodness, I'm getting excited for my visit. Thanks for your report, CanAmCherie!!

Can you see both Tate Britain exhibits with a ticket for the Sargent exhibit or are they 2 separate tickets?

I've got my Sargent ticket for one morning and have allowed myself as much of that day as I want. Though two exhibits does sound a bit overwhelming, as I tend to linger as you've described. And I'd like to see some of the permanent collection.

(No matter how much time I book in a city, I always want more!)

Posted by
510 posts

Each of the exhibitions needs a ticket. I think one was 22 and one was 20, although that may be a concessions cost.

Posted by
510 posts

Mardee,
It feels good to be in a position to be able to spend the extra $ for a membership, as I am happy to provide that extra support for such great institutions. My husband got a British Museum +guest membership, and I got a Kew+1 membership.