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The National Gallery stands to the north of Trafalgar Square. It is one of the world's most impressive collections of art. A collection of around 2,300 paintings, tell the story of Western European painting from the 13th to the 19th century. The paintings belong to the British public and entry to the main collection is free, however there are charges for admission to special exhibitions. It is overwhelming how many pictures that you will recognise in the collections. The best place to start exploring the National Gallery is the Sainsbury Wing. The gallery's earliest Renaissance paintings are located here. The rooms contain the Wilton Diptych (believed to have been commissioned by Richard II of England), as well as Jan van Eyck's Arnolfini Marriage and works by masters such as Botticelli, Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci. In the West Wing, don't miss "The Entombment" by Michelangelo and Bronzino's "Allegory with Venus and Cupid". The richness of 17th century landscape painting fills the North Wing. Picture sizes are smaller filling the canvas with the jewel-like detail that is found in Claude Lorraine's paintings. Many Dutch "genre" or domestic scenes are also found here including Vermeer's "A Young Woman Standing at a Virginal". The Dutch rooms culminate with a room full of Rembrandts. Ever-popular with visitors to the gallery are the Impressionist works that can be found in the North Wing. Monet, Renoir, Seurat and Van Gogh are all on display here. The National Gallery also has an excellent gift shop with a selection of books, postcards and souvenirs. The shop also has a printing service that allows you to take home a copy of any one of its 2,300 paintings. |