What: Exhibition
Where: The Foundling Museum
When: 7th February - 18th May 2014
2014 marks the tercentenary of the accession of the Hanoverian kings to the throne of England, and a whole range of exhibitions have begun or are in the pipeline to commemorate this anniversary.
The Foundling Museum's temporary exhibition on the royal patronage of the famous and well-loved composer Handel, which closed last weekend, showcased an exciting example of where the eighteenth-century monarchy led the way in terms of cultural patronage. The music written for fireworks shows and boat trips down the Thames has stayed with us until this day. This exhibition gave a great insight into the royal commissions, including a wide range of exhibits and also allowing visitors to hear Handel's music play as they perused them. Sadly, several exhibits - which looked like real original documents - were only digital reproductions, framed to look like the real thing. Although this might be a good way to see things that, maybe for conservation reasons, could otherwise not be displayed, it feels a bit of a disappointment to the exhibition-goer who delights in the experience of engaging with real objects from the past.
The exhibition is now closed, but the Foundling is also well worth a visit for their newly refurbished permanent gallery and reopened cafe.
Find out more: http://www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk/events/view/By-George-exhibition/
