CONTINUING

Open through February & March

The Art Books of Henri Matisse. For Henri Matisse (1869 – 1954) one of the greatest of 20^th century artists, illustration was of major importance and nowhere better seen than in the illustrated books he produced in his middle years. Shown for the first time in the UK, the exhibition comprises 63 original illustrations, including his famous Jazz, 1947, all on loan from the extensive art collection of the Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Walker Art Gallery, William Brown Street, Liverpool. Tel. +44 (0)151 478 4199. (Open daily) liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker 21 October 2011 – 15 April 2012.

Gesamtkunstwerk: New Art From Germany. Exhibition of work: sculpture, painting, drawing and installation, by 24 contemporary artists either from, or based in, Germany.
Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York's HQ, King's Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4SQ. Tel. +44 (0)20 7823 2363 (Open daily) www.saatchigallery.com 18 November 2011 – 30 April 2012.

Judaism: A World of Stories. Overview of 3000 years of Jewish religion, culture art and history as seen through objects, manuscripts and paintings. International loan exhibition mounted in cooperation with the Jewish Historical Museum.
De Nieuwe Kerk, Dam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Tel. +31 20 6386909 (Open daily; late Thurs). www.nieukerk.nl 17 December 2011 – 15 April 2012.

Before the Law: Post-War Sculpture and Spaces of Contemporary Art. Important exhibition inspired by “the fundamental conditions of human existence” at a time when “human rights violations and assaults on human dignity” are everywhere apparent. Organized by Museum Ludwig and the Siemens Stiftung.
Museum Ludwig, Heinrich-Böll-Platz, 50667 Cologne, Germany. (Open Tues – Sunday) www.museum-ludwig.de 17 December 2011 – 22 April 2012.

Duncan Phyfe: Master Cabinetmaker in New York. Important exhibition of work by one of America's most celebrated cabinetmakers: Duncan Phyfe (1770 – 1854). Comprising nearly 100 examples, some documented, some never seen before, from private and public collections in the United States, and surprisingly the first retrospective for 90 years, the exhibition aims to display works over “the full chronological sweep” of Phyfe's long and successful career.
Made possible by Karen H. Bechtel.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028. Tel. +1 212 535 7710. (Open Tues - Sun; late Fri & Sat) www.metmuseum.org 20 December 2011 – 6 May 2012.

Rubens, Van Dyck & Jordaens: Flemish Painters from the Hermitage. Likely spectacular exhibition of 75 paintings and some 20 drawings, many acquired in the 18th century by Catherine the Great, most of them commissioned in the 17th century by ecclesiastical and secular patrons in Antwerp and elsewhere. One Rubens masterpiece, his Descent from the Cross, c. 1618, has never before been loaned abroad.
Hermitage Amsterdam, Amstel 51, 1017 AB Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Tel. + 31 20 530 87 51. (Open daily; late Wed) www.hermitage.nl 17 September 2011 – 15 June 2012.

*especially recommended

Please check opening times and days before travelling any distance.