Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-min-1.jpg" alt="Sin exhibition The Arc Winchester National Gallery" class="wp-image-30073" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-min-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-min-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-min-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-min-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-min-1-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>New exhibition Sin at The Arc, Winchester. Pic: Dan Wilson Photography, on behalf of Hampshire Cultural Trust.</figcaption></figure>



Sin has well and truly manifested itself in Winchester. Open now until 14 May at The Arc (the first floor exhibition space in the city library), the brand new touring exhibition explores changing representations of sin and morality, from dark deeds and temptation to faith and redemption.



Eight major works dating from the 16th and 17th centuries are here on loan from the National Gallery’s collection. They include The Woman taken in Adultery (1644) &#8211; the first ever Rembrandt to go on display at the Winchester gallery.



Once a month, the gallery will open late for Sin at The Arc &#8211; after dark. Have a treat at the bar and book for <a href="https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/arc-after-dark-sin-lates-cocktail-masterclass-with-the-alchemist" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cocktail-making with the Muddy Award-winning Alchemist bar</a>, a <a href="https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/arc-after-dark-sin-lates-chocolatier-masterclass-with-chocolate-craft" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chocolate Craft Masterclass</a>, a <a href="https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/arc-after-dark-curator-talk-joost-joustra" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">curators talk</a> and more.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-Venus-and-Cupid-min.jpg" alt="Venus and Cupid (1529) by Lucas Cranach the Elder part of National Gallery Sin exhibition on at The Arc Winchester" class="wp-image-30068" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-Venus-and-Cupid-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-Venus-and-Cupid-min-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-Venus-and-Cupid-min-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-Venus-and-Cupid-min-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-Venus-and-Cupid-min-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-Venus-and-Cupid-min-394x525.jpg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Venus and Cupid (1529).</figcaption></figure>



One of the big-hitter National Gallery paintings in the exhibition is Venus and Cupid. The work, by Lucas Cranach the Elder, depicts the Goddess of Love in full siren mode (just look at those &#8216;come hither&#8217; eyes). Yet, the plaque on the tree beside her is inscribed with a regretful quote from the Greek poet Theoicritus. Helpfully translated, it reads: &#8220;brief and fleeting pleasure we seek is mingled with sadness and brings us pain.&#8221; Temptation and pleasure leads to sin and regret.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-Rembrandt-min.jpg" alt="Annibale Carracci's Christ appearing to Saint Anthony Abbot during his Temptation (about 1598). Part of National Gallery Sin exhibition on at The Arc Winchester" class="wp-image-30066" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-Rembrandt-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-Rembrandt-min-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-Rembrandt-min-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-Rembrandt-min-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-Rembrandt-min-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-Rembrandt-min-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-Rembrandt-min-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-Rembrandt-min-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Christ appearing to Saint Anthony Abbot during his Temptation (about 1598). Pic: Dan Wilson Photography, on behalf of Hampshire Cultural Trust.</figcaption></figure>



Sinful temptations are embodied by demonic creatures in Annibale Carracci&#8217;s Christ appearing to Saint Anthony Abbot during his Temptation. Above him, Christ leans angelically on clouds, a saviour and protector of the faithful.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2067" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-statue-on-plinth-min.jpg" alt="Youth (2009) by Ron Mueck. Part of National Gallery Sin exhibition at The Arc Winchester." class="wp-image-30067" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-statue-on-plinth-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-statue-on-plinth-min-581x800.jpg 581w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-statue-on-plinth-min-726x1000.jpg 726w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-statue-on-plinth-min-768x1058.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-statue-on-plinth-min-1115x1536.jpg 1115w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-statue-on-plinth-min-1486x2048.jpg 1486w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-The-Gallery-statue-on-plinth-min-381x525.jpg 381w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Youth (2009). Pic: Dan Wilson Photography, on behalf of Hampshire Cultural Trust.</figcaption></figure>



One of two modern works loaned to the exhibition, Youth is by the Australian sculptor Ron Mueck. Thought-provoking and more than a little unsettling in his characteristically realistic style, it&#8217;s a contemporary take on the concept of sin and redemption.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-Tracy-Emin-min-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-30070" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-Tracy-Emin-min-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-Tracy-Emin-min-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-Tracy-Emin-min-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-Tracy-Emin-min-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/Sin-Tracy-Emin-min.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>It was just a kiss (2010). Pic: Dan Wilson Photography, on behalf of Hampshire Cultural Trust.</figcaption></figure>



Love it or loathe it, Tracey Emin&#8217;s autobiographical, confessional art gets everyone talking. Here we have It was just a kiss &#8211; five loaded words in neon. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="750" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/The-Arc-Winchester-coffee-min-1-750x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-30074" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/The-Arc-Winchester-coffee-min-1-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/The-Arc-Winchester-coffee-min-1-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/The-Arc-Winchester-coffee-min-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/The-Arc-Winchester-coffee-min-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/The-Arc-Winchester-coffee-min-1-394x525.jpg 394w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/02/The-Arc-Winchester-coffee-min-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure>



Not sinful perhaps &#8211; but certainly one of my vices &#8211; The Arc café serves a very decent cappuccino. Even better, you can get 10% off one with your ticket price and put the difference towards a big slab of cake. Oops &#8211; gluttony. Definitely one of the deadlies.



See the exhibition <a href="https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/sin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sin at The Arc, Winchester</a> until Sunday 14 May.

First look – Sin at The Arc, Winchester

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