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About this activity

If you’ve ever wondered why it was popular to put skulls in old paintings, how difficult it was to make it as a young woman who wanted to be a painter, or what really happened to Van Gogh’s ear, this tour has been designed just for you. Your guide will meet you near Trafalgar Square and give you a brief introduction to this monumental public space then take you into the gallery to see a short list of their favorite paintings. The lineup includes works by Van Gogh, Velazquez, Caravaggio, Elizabeth Vigée le Brun, Hans Holbien, and more. You'll learn about the story behind each work, how it changed the world and why it’s still important today. The tour will also include tidbits about the lives of the artists to help you see the human elements behind the paintings, as well as a few funny stories from the museum itself.