'The Story of the Great Masters'-
new series begins this October at the
National Gallery of Ireland

Press Release, September 2005

Supported by Morgan Stanley Quilter

Four European masterpieces in the National Gallery's collection will be the focus of in-depth discussions this autumn as part of a new art and supper lecture series entitled 'The Story of the Great Masters' which will take place in the Gallery on Thursday evenings at 6.30pm from October 6th to 27th, 2005.

Presented by distinguished international speakers, the series will explore paintings by Nicolas Poussin ('Acis and Galatea'), Thomas Gainsborough ('The Cottage Girl'), Harry Jones Thaddeus ('Market Day, Finistère) and Johannes Vermeer ('Woman Writing a Letter with her Maid').

'The Story of the Great Masters' is kindly supported by Morgan Stanley Quilter Investment Mangers. Brian Weber, Head of the Dublin Office, says Morgan Stanley Quilter "are delighted to support the National Gallery of Ireland and to be associated with such a distinguished event with contributions from renowned international speakers."

Guest speakers include Professor Richard Verdi, Director of the Barber Institute of Fine Art, Birmingham; Dr. Martin Postle, Head of British Art to 1900, Tate Britain; Dr. Brendan Rooney, Centre for the Study of Irish Art, National Gallery of Ireland, and Dr. Arthur Wheelock Jnr., Curator of Northern Baroque Painting, National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.

Tickets are €35 per evening or €130 for a season ticket. Pre booking is advised. Tickets are available from the Gallery Shop, Millennium Wing, National Gallery of Ireland or Telephone (01) 663 3518. Talks take place in the Lecture Theatre followed by supper in the Winter Garden Restaurant. See attached programme or visit www.nationalgallery.ie. 'The Story of the Great Masters' series is organised by the Gallery's Education Department.

Selected images are available from the Press Office.

Further Information: Valerie Keogh
Press & Communication Office
National Gallery of Ireland
Telephone (01) 663 3598
Email press@ngi.ie

'The Story of the Great Masters'
National Gallery of Ireland
Thursdays, 6.30pm, October 6th to 27th 2005
Supported by MORGAN STANLEY QUILTER.

Programme:

Thursday 6 October, 6.30pm
Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665), 'Acis and Galatea' 1627-28
Guest speaker: Professor Richard Verdi, Director of the Barber Institute of Fine Art in Birmingham.

Thursday 13 October, 6.30pm
Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788), 'The Cottage Girl' 1785
Guest speaker: Dr. Martin Postle, Head of British Art to 1900, Tate Britain

Thursday 20 October, 6.30pm
Harry Jones Thaddeus (1860-1929), 'Market Day, Finistère' 1882
Guest speaker: Dr. Brendan Rooney, Centre for the Study of Irish Art, National Gallery of Ireland.

Thursday 27 October, 6.30pm
Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) 'Woman Writing a Letter with her Maid' c.1670
Guest Speaker: Dr. Arthur Wheelock Jnr., Curator of Northern Baroque Painting, National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

How to Find Us:
National Gallery of Ireland
Merrion Square & Clare Street, Dublin 2.
Telephone + 353 (0) 1 661 5133
Website www.nationalgallery.ie

Gallery Opening Hours:
Monday to Saturday 9.30am-5.30pm; Thursday 9.30am-8.30pm; Sunday 12.00pm-5.30pm. Admission is free to the permanent collection.