Picture This

Sir Michael Palin and John Wilson in conversation (online)

This event is part of Picture This.

Talks and conversations

Friday, 26 June 2026

7 - 8 pm BST

Online

For everyone

Online ticket

Standard:

£10

Please book a ticket to attend this online talk. The talk will be livestreamed from our Pigott Theatre. You will receive an E-ticket with instructions on how to access your online events, films and resources via your National Gallery account. Only one ticket can be booked per account.

Book now

About

‘Picture This,’ is a brand new series of conversations, hosted by journalist and presenter of the BBC’s 'This Cultural Life', John Wilson. Special guests from a wide variety of fields, including fashion, music, literature and film, will join John to reflect on their life and work through the lens of a National Gallery painting.

Join us for a special evening with writer, actor, comedian, and broadcaster, Sir Michael Palin in conversation with John Wilson as they take a closer look at Turner’s 'The Fighting Temeraire' and discover why this painting holds special significance for our guest.

Michael Palin first rose to prominence with Monty Python’s 'Flying Circus' and 'Ripping Yarns'. His film work includes 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail', 'Life of Brian', 'A Fish Called Wanda' (for which he won a BAFTA), 'Fierce Creatures' and 'The Death of Stalin'.

Michael features in the film 'My National Gallery', which showcases those whose lives have been touched by the Gallery - from security guard to director, everyday visitor to celebrities and members of the royal family.

Alongside his acting and writing, Michael is celebrated for his landmark travel series, including 'Around the World in 80 Days', 'Pole to Pole', 'Sahara with Michael Palin', 'Himalaya', 'Brazil', 'North Korea' and 'Michael Palin In Venezuela', which aired in 2025.

He is the author of novels, children’s books, diaries, and acclaimed non-fiction, including 'Erebus' and 'Great-Uncle Harry'.

Michael was President of the Royal Geographical Society from 2009 - 2012, made a BAFTA Fellow in 2013, and was knighted in 2019 for services to travel, culture, and geography.

John Wilson

John Wilson is an acclaimed journalist and broadcaster who has specialised in arts and cultural affairs for over 25 years. He presents 'This Cultural Life', the BBC Radio 4 podcast series on which guests have included some of the world’s most important creative figures including Paul McCartney, Frank Auerbach, Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie, Judi Dench, Sam Mendes, Nick Cave, Jennifer Lawrence, Nile Rodgers and many more. John presented BBC Radio 4’s flagship arts magazine show 'Front Row' from its launch in 1998 until 2021. He also hosted the acclaimed music series 'Mastertapes' and presented the art theft investigation documentary 'The Billion Dollar Art Hunt' for BBC Four.

Pigott Theatre

This is a livestream of the event taking place in the Pigott Theatre. If you would prefer to attend the event in person, please book tickets here.