National Gallery, London
The
National Gallery is an
art gallery in
London, located on the north side of
Trafalgar Square. It holds part of the National Collection, particularly Western European art from
1250 to
1900. Some British art is included, but the National Collection of British art from this period is mainly in
Tate Britain. The collection of 2300 paintings belongs to the British public, and entry to the main collection is free, though entry to special exhibitions is charged for.
Artists whose work is hung in the National Gallery include:
The collection was established in
1824, when the art collection of
John Julius Angerstein was bought for the nation. The gallery was built in the
1830s by architect William Wilkins; it has been expanded four times, most recently with the Sainsbury Wing in
1991 which houses the Gallery's
Early Renaissance paintings. This Wing houses works by Van Eyck,
Piero della Francesca, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and
Raphael, as well as the
Wilton Diptych.
The National Portrait Gallery has an adjoining site on Charing Cross Road.
Nearest London Underground stations:
External link
Official Website: http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/