Private Tour of Van Eyck: The Portraits at the National Gallery
Six centuries ago, in the merchant cities of Flanders, Jan van Eyck painted faces so precise and so alive that they still seem ready to speak. This winter, the National Gallery brings together all nine of his painted portraits for the first time in history, a reunion of works that very rarely leave their home museums.
Only around twenty paintings by van Eyck survive, which means this exhibition gathers roughly half of his known work in a single set of rooms. Alongside the nine portraits, visitors will see his only surviving drawing, the delicate Portrait of an Elderly Man (about 1438), on exceptional loan from the Kupferstich-Kabinett in Dresden.
The National Gallery describes it as a once-only exhibition that could only take place in London. For lovers of Old Masters, it is the cultural event of the season, and a private guided tour is the most rewarding way to experience it.
Van Eyck: The Portraits Exhibition 2026–2027 in London Details
When: 21 November 2026 – 11 April 2027
Where: The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom
What: The first exhibition ever devoted to van Eyck’s portraits, bringing together all nine known painted portraits from across Europe, together with his only surviving drawing.
Why Van Eyck: The Portraits Is One of London’s Must-See Art Exhibitions in 2026–2027
Long before photography, Jan van Eyck (c. 1390–1441) achieved a remarkable level of realism in painting.
His extraordinary attention to detail transformed the way artists represented the human face. Fine wrinkles, individual strands of hair, the reflection of light in a sitter’s eyes, and the subtle textures of skin and clothing became essential elements of his artistic language.
Unlike many earlier portraits that emphasized idealized appearances or symbolic status, Van Eyck’s paintings introduced an extraordinary sense of human presence.
His subjects seem remarkably alive, despite having lived almost 600 years ago.
The Van Eyck exhibition at the National Gallery London offers visitors a unique opportunity to understand how these innovations influenced generations of European painters and helped establish portraiture as one of the most important genres in Western art.
Nine Portraits, One Unprecedented Exhibition
What makes Van Eyck: The Portraits particularly exceptional is the gathering of all nine of the artist’s known painted portraits.
These rare masterpieces, normally held in different European collections, will be presented together for the first time.
Rather than focusing exclusively on royalty and aristocracy, Van Eyck portrayed individuals from the increasingly prosperous society of 15th-century Northern Europe. Merchants, craftsmen, members of the artist’s family, and other figures emerge as individuals with distinct personalities and identities.
The exhibition reveals how portraiture became a means of expressing not only social position but also personal identity.
For art enthusiasts and collectors, this exhibition represents a remarkable opportunity to compare Van Eyck’s technique, composition, and psychological insight across his surviving portraits.
Why Experience the Van Eyck Exhibition with a Private Guide?
A visit to the National Gallery is always rewarding, but exploring a major Renaissance exhibition with a knowledgeable art historian brings an entirely different perspective.
During your private guided tour of Van Eyck: The Portraits, your expert guide can introduce the historical, artistic, and cultural context behind the paintings, helping you discover details that might otherwise go unnoticed.
From the symbolism of clothing and jewellery to the sophisticated techniques of early Netherlandish oil painting, each portrait offers fascinating insights into the world of 15th-century Europe.
An expert-led tour of the Van Eyck exhibition in London can explore how the artist achieved such extraordinary realism, why his portraits were revolutionary, and how his work continues to influence our understanding of portraiture today.
Your private guided visit can be tailored to your particular interests, whether you wish to focus on Renaissance art history, artistic techniques, Flemish culture, or the development of European portrait painting.
For those seeking a more meaningful cultural experience, a private art tour offers the opportunity to ask questions, explore individual masterpieces in greater depth, and enjoy a carefully curated introduction to one of the National Gallery’s most significant exhibitions.
What You’ll See during a Private Tour of the Van Eyck Exhibition
- All nine known portraits by Jan van Eyck: Discover the exceptional gathering of the Flemish master’s surviving portrait paintings, presented together for the first time.
- The origins of modern portraiture: Understand how Van Eyck transformed the representation of individual identity and personality in European painting.
- The secrets of Northern Renaissance painting: Explore the artist’s mastery of oil painting, luminous colours, delicate textures, and extraordinary realism.
- Hidden details and symbolism: Learn to interpret clothing, gestures, facial expressions, and other carefully observed details within the portraits.
- Life in 15th-century Flanders: Discover the world of merchants, craftsmen, and prosperous urban society that influenced Van Eyck’s artistic career.
- The legacy of Jan van Eyck: Understand his influence on later generations of artists and the development of European art.
Why Go with Carsons Travel Concierge?
At Carsons Travel Concierge, we believe that exceptional art deserves an equally thoughtful experience.
Our private art tours in London are designed for travellers who value cultural expertise, personalized attention, and carefully curated experiences beyond a conventional museum visit.
We can help arrange:
- Private guided visit to Van Eyck: The Portraits: Explore the exhibition with an expert art historian, subject to the museum’s guiding policies and availability.
- Expert-led National Gallery tour: Complement your exhibition visit with an introduction to selected masterpieces from the Gallery’s permanent collection.
- Personalized cultural itinerary: Tailor your visit to your interests, whether Renaissance painting, European history, art collecting, or museum highlights.
- Seamless planning: Assistance with exhibition tickets, suitable visiting times, and coordinating your London itinerary.
- Private chauffeur arrangements: Comfortable transfers between your hotel, the National Gallery, and other cultural destinations.
- Curated London experiences: Combine your exhibition visit with an elegant afternoon tea, a private gallery visit, or a carefully selected fine-dining reservation.
Our aim is to create an experience that feels personal, insightful, and effortless, allowing you to concentrate entirely on the art.
Suitable for
- art enthusiasts and collectors
- lovers of Old Masters and Renaissance painting
- couples seeking a refined cultural experience in London
- families with teenagers interested in art and history
- travellers interested in fashion, textiles and design
- corporate guests and celebratory occasions
Van Eyck: The Portraits is a meeting with real people from almost six hundred years ago, painted with a clarity that still astonishes. With a private guide by your side, each face becomes a story of family, ambition and craft, and a turning point in the history of European art.
FAQ – Plan Your Visit
When is Van Eyck: The Portraits at the National Gallery?
The exhibition takes place from 21 November 2026 to 11 April 2027 at the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, London.
Where can I see the Van Eyck exhibition in London?
Van Eyck: The Portraits is presented in the Ground Floor Galleries of the National Gallery, located at Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN.
Can I book a private guided tour of Van Eyck: The Portraits?
Carsons Travel Concierge can assist with arranging an expert-led visit to the exhibition, subject to the National Gallery’s policies, available guiding formats, and ticket availability.
Contact our team with your preferred date, number of guests, and particular interests, and we will advise on suitable arrangements.
Why is the Van Eyck exhibition so important?
For the first time, all nine known painted portraits by Jan van Eyck will be displayed together. This unprecedented gathering allows visitors to explore the artist’s extraordinary contribution to realism and the development of European portraiture.
Can I combine the exhibition with a private National Gallery tour?
Yes. We can help plan a tailored cultural itinerary combining the Van Eyck exhibition with selected highlights of the National Gallery’s permanent collection, subject to guiding arrangements.
This is particularly appealing to visitors interested in comparing Flemish Renaissance painting with the masterpieces of Italian and other European schools.
Is Van Eyck: The Portraits suitable for visitors without an art history background?
Absolutely. You do not need specialist knowledge to appreciate Van Eyck’s remarkable realism and attention to detail.
An expert-led guided visit can make the exhibition particularly accessible, explaining the historical context and artistic techniques through engaging storytelling.
Enhance your Royal Experience with:
- A private tour of the National Gallery‘s Northern Renaissance collection
- Bespoke art walks through Mayfair and St James’s galleries
- Private visits to other London exhibitions of the season
- Tailored etiquette classes
- Bespoke jewellery and haute couture shopping
- Afternoon tea or Michelin-starred dining
Let us curate your art experience in London.
Book your private tour of Van Eyck: The Portraits at the National Gallery and discover the faces that gave birth to modern portraiture.
Private Tour of Van Eyck: The Portraits at the National Gallery
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