Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting

20 Jun-7 Sep 2025

Drift by Jenny Saville, 2020-2022 © Jenny Saville, Courtesy Gagosian.

Overview

Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting is the largest major museum exhibition in the UK dedicated to one of the world’s foremost contemporary painters.

Saville rose to prominence in the early 1990s, following her acclaimed degree show at the Glasgow School of Art. Since then, she has played a leading role in the reinvigoration of figurative painting – a genre that she continues to test today. Her unique ability to create visceral portraits from thick layers of paint reveals an artist with a deep passion for the process itself.

From charcoal drawings to large-scale oil paintings of the human form, this chronological display includes works that question the historical notions of female beauty, the monumental nudes that launched Saville to acclaim in 1992, and new works on display for the first time.

Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting brings together 45 works made throughout the artist's career. It traces the development of her practice, spotlighting key artworks, and exploring her connection to art history. The exhibition was created in close collaboration with the artist. It brings together works from public and private collections worldwide.