The National Gallery's new immersive exhibition centered on Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, The Virgin of the Rocks, has received a lukewarm reception from critics, with one reviewer awarding it just two stars. The show, which runs until January 12, 2025, charges visitors between £16 and £20 to see the painting that is normally free to view.
Director Gabriele Finaldi's concept aims to re-contextualize Old Masters in modern settings, but the execution has been criticized as underwhelming. The first room was described as 'bland,' with standard lighting and unconvincing sound effects. A central space leads to three rooms, including a recreation of the gallery's conservation studios where new research is presented.
Highlights include a slideshow revealing a hidden composition beneath the painting's surface, discovered through advanced technology. However, critics note a lack of narrative detail, leaving visitors with more questions than answers. Interactive elements, such as a room exploring Leonardo's chiaroscuro techniques, were deemed 'fine but underwhelming.'
The exhibition culminates in a digital recreation of the altar for which the painting was originally commissioned. Despite the ambition, the experience has been compared unfavorably to other immersive shows, such as the Van Gogh experience or the Louvre's virtual reality tour of the Mona Lisa.
