The National Gallery, London
European Art by Raphael, Stubbs, Canaletto Constable, Monet, Rubens
The UK's national collection of European art from 1250-1900 includes art by Jan van Eyck, van Gogh, Uccello, Botticelli, Titian, Canaletto, Vermeer, Degas and van Dyck
The British government established the National Gallery in 1824 with the purchase of 38 paintings, the collection of John Julius Angerstein, a London banker. This collection included a number of important pieces by Italian, English, Dutch and Flemish artists. In 1826 Sir George Beaumont (1753-1827) gave his collection of paintings to the British nation. At first, the National Gallery had no purpose-built home and the paintings were shown at Angerstein's London home in Pall Mall, a property which was far too small for such a large number of important paintings.
In 1831 Parliament made plans for a permanent gallery to house the collection. After considerable debate about where the gallery should be located a suitably impressive edifice was constructed in Trafalgar Square in the very heart of London. The collection moved into its permanent home in 1838. The new building also housed the Royal Academy of Arts until it moved to Piccadilly in 1868.
Art for All to Enjoy
The Gallery was intended to benefit everyone: to make this wonderful collection of great works of art available to the public, rich and poor alike. Throughout its history it has been committed to free admission although it does charge for some exhibitions. The National Gallery also runs a comprehensive programme of educational events and family activities.
Organisation, Growth and Expansion
In the early days the organisation of the Gallery was poor. The first Keeper of the collection, appointed in 1824, was William Seguier (1771-1843). As a painter, picture restorer and adviser to collectors he was already well-known in the London art world. He had a very small staff to help him and most of the work was down to him. Eventually a government enquiry led to the appointment of a Director to manage the Gallery. This Director, Sir Charles Eastlake, also President of the Royal Academy, was empowered to influence the development of the collection.
The original building has undergone expansion and renovation in the years since and is now one of London's most impressive public spaces. In 1868 architect E.M. Barry was appointed to redesign the Gallery. Eventually, however, they decided to keep the existing building and add a new wing with several large exhibition rooms and the now familiar magnificent dome. Throughout the 20th century further expansion has taken place until the Gallery is as we know it today with its instantly recognisable impressive portico entrance.
Since its inception the National Gallery's permanent collection has grown into one of the finest in the world and includes Western European paintings dating from 1250 to 1900. The gallery's collection includes Raphael's The Madonna of the Pinks, Jan van Eyck's The Arnolfini Portrait, Canaletto's The Stonemason's Yard and Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers to name but a few. Many other famous artists lined up for inspection include Paolo Uccello, Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, John Constable and Claude Monet.
The National Gallery is renowned for its innovative and imaginative exhibitions. In particular 2007/8 saw Renaissance Siena: Art for a City (24 October 2007 to 13 January 2008) and Art of Light: German Renaissance Stained Glass (9 November 2007 to 17 February 2008).
Source:
- Baker, Christopher and Tom Henry (eds.) et.al. The National Gallery: Complete Illustrated Catalogue. London: National Gallery Company. 2003.
