This exhibition at the National Gallery mapped Albrecht Durer’s journeys across Europe: From the Alps, through Italy, Venice and the Netherlands, the narrative follows the story of Durer’s evolving artistic style, shifts in influences, and rapidly growing fame.

We wanted to create an environmental space that let the artworks take centre stage. It was important not to take too many prompts from the artworks themselves to ensure the exhibition was on brand for the National Gallery and its audiences. Therefore, we developed a simple concept for this exhibition: it is a colour journey. In each room, two bands of a bold colour intersect across the walls, highlighting the content, and carrying the visitor across a visual journey that reflects the tone of Durer’s. 

The exhibition varies in pace; large-scale paintings are displayed with ample space to create a sense of theatre, and some smaller works and pages from Durer’s journals sit within bespoke setworks, inviting the visitor to engage with them on an intimate, one-to-one basis. 

We incorporated digital interactives at key points allowing visitors to explore Durer’s journals more closely and how they relate to the artworks in each room.