Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse

Saturday, January 30 to ­Wednesday, April 20

Royal Academy of Arts curator Ann Dumas has spent three years sourcing rare paintings and artefacts for this exhibition, which will examine the role of gardens in works by Claude Monet and his contemporaries. It will be the first time Monet’s monumental water-lily Agapanthus Triptych will be seen in the UK, thanks to Faversham-­born Ann’s exceptional contacts list and negotiating skills.

“I am thrilled to have this work included in the exhibition,” said the former Chatham Grammar School for Girls pupil.

Ann and fellow curator William H Robinson, of the Cleveland Museum of Art, have brought together more than 120 works, borrowed from public institutions and private collections across Europe and the USA.

Monet will be the starting point, and Dumas said: “Monet said his garden was his greatest work of art. He was an avid horticulturist and his garden in Giverny became his exclusive subject for the last 20 years of his life.

“During the First World War, his peace was often shattered by the sound of the battlefields, and although many inhabitants of Giverny fled to safety he stayed behind. Painting was his patriotic contribution.”

In all, 35 paintings by Monet will be shown alongside work by Klee, Nolde, Klimt and Kandinsky, plus documentary materials including horticultural books and journals.

Address: Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London

Admission: £17.60 (£16 without Gift Aid donation); concessions available. Under 16s free.

Visit: royalacademy.org.uk

Vogue 100: A Century of Style

Thursday, February 11, to ­Sunday, May 22

Enter an Ab­ Fab fashion heaven while celebrating 100 years of British Vogue. Kate Moss’s controversial underwear shoot by Corinne Day and Horst P Horst’s 1939 corset shot which inspired Madonna’s music track Vogue will feature among 300 images from the iconic magazine’s archive.

Previously unseen works by photographers David Bailey, Herb Ritts and Mario Testino will bring alive 20th century catwalk history, while masterpieces by Alexander McQueen, Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent define designers’ influence on the industry.

Address: National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Lane, London

Admission £17, concessions available

Visit www.npg.org.uk/whatson/vogue/exhibition.php

Botticelli and Treasures from the Hamilton Collection

Thursday, February 18 to Sunday, May 15

At the heart of the exhibition will be 30 exquisite drawings by Sandro Botticelli charting Dante’s imaginary journey through Hell, Purgatory and Paradise.

Dating to around 1480 and produced on vellum, these drawings were sold by the 12th Duke of Hamilton to the Berlin Kupferstichkabinett (Prints and Drawings Museum) in 1882 – a sensational coup despite efforts by Queen Victoria and her daughter, wife of the German crown prince, to prevent the loss of these treasures abroad.

The display will also feature priceless Renaissance illuminated manuscripts such as the celebrated ‘Hamilton Bible’.

Address: Courtauld Gallery, Somerset House, Strand, London

Admission £8.50, concessions available

Visit courtauld.ac.uk

Paul Strand Photography and Film for the 20th Century

Saturday, March 19 to Sunday, July 3

The first UK exhibition since the American photographic artist’s death in 1976 will show candid street portraits and close­-ups of natural and machine forms to demonstrate how he became one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century, defining the way fine art and documentary photography is understood today.

Address: Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London

Admission: £9, concessions available

Visit: vam.ac.uk/paulstrand

The Rolling Stones: Exhibitionism

Tuesday, April 5­ to Sunday, September 4

An immersive rock’n’roll treat for Stones’ fans, this exhibition will showcase 500 original artefacts ranging from backstage paraphernalia to rare instruments, original stage designs and iconic costumes.

There will also be rare audio tracks and video footage, diaries, poster and album cover artwork to savour plus a focus on collaborations with designers, musicians and writers including Andy Warhol, Alexander McQueen, Ossie Clark and Martin Scorsese.

This will be the first ever major exhibition by the band, and will cover the musical journey that took the group from being a hard-working blues band from Dartford in the early 1960s to becoming inspirational cultural icons adored by millions.

Address: Saatchi Gallery, King’s Road

Admission: From £19

Visit: saatchigallery.com

Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear

Saturday, April 16,­ to March 2017

The story of underwear design from the 18th century to the present day, sponsored by Agent Provocateur and Revlon, will examine the practical and personal, sensory and fashionable roles of protecting and enhancing the body. The V&A leads the way in specialist fashion exhibitions, and visitors will be able to explore the themes of innovation and luxury across more than 200 examples of men’s and women’s underwear.

Address: Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road

Admission: £9, concessions available

Visit: vam.ac.uk