The Day When... I Toured The National Gallery With Frank Skinner
As the august institution celebrates its 200th anniversary, I recall the morning I spent taking in the stand-up's favourite exhibits.
Back in the noughties, there were two free papers in London. At a time when i) The Evening Standard still existed, and ii) you had to pay for it, these free sheets proved quite the sensation. That I can remember neither publications’ title says a lot about just how long ago we’re talking about. What I vividly recall, however, is an event highlighted in one of said rags.
The paper in question mentioned that, on the Friday of that week, stand-up comedian Frank Skinner would be leading a morning tour of his favourite works at the National Gallery. Since I happened to be off that day, I caught the tube to Leicester Square, walked through the Gallery’s Orange Street entrance and hurried towards the Sainsbury Wing.
And sure enough, there he was - witty and warm but also informative and entertaining! The tour that followed took in four paintings only one of which appears on the Gallery’s must-see list but all of which clearly meant something to Mr Skinner. He was particularly good when it came to Moretto de Brescia’s Portrait Of Count Forunato Martinengo (below), pointing out that the subject wasn’t just contemplating the nature of fate, but he was clearly bent on doing so for quite some while what with his having put down some cushions on which to rest his elbow.
Frank’s one superstar selection, meanwhile, was Leonardo Da Vinci’s cartoon. In explaining his choice, our man made reference to his Catholic faith before adding that it was hard not to be impressed by “a man so famous, he even has a code named after him. Who else can you say that for? Samuel Morse? The Green Cross Man?"
By the time he bid us farewell, there was a big bunch of us hanging on Frank's every word. I’ve been back to the National countless times since and always make a point of catching up with Count Martinengo, such are the fond memories I have of that fine and funny Friday morning.