Plan Your Trip Ltd
This is archived material. It is for reference purposes only.
Ed Ruscha has shaped the way we see the North American landscape like no other artist, and the National Gallery is showing a piece which really captures his vision of the country: Course of Empire.
The artwork was Ruscha’s contribution to the 2005 Venice Bienniale, for which the theme was ‘progress, or the course of progress’. Ruscha’s response references Thomas Cole - who's work is also on display at the National Gallery - with its modern take on the cyclical nature of human civilisation. Cole's vision of the States was romantic, but Ruscha’s work reflects a more modern cultural landscape of industrial buildings, which aren't typically considered ‘beautiful’. He focuses on the boxy utilitarianism of downtown LA. It's interesting to see Ruscha’s exhibition alongside Cole's if you can.
The National Gallery
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
Opening times
Saturday – Thursday: 10:00 - 18:00
Friday: 10:00 - 21:00
Ed Ruscha © Photography by Manfredi Gioacchini. Courtesy of Ed Ruscha and Gagosian
- Monday:
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10:00 - 18:00
- Tuesday:
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10:00 - 18:00
- Wednesday:
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10:00 - 18:00
- Thursday:
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10:00 - 18:00
- Friday:
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10:00 - 21:00
- Saturday:
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10:00 - 18:00
- Sunday:
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10:00 - 18:00