London, The National Gallery

The National Gallery in London, home to some of the world’s greatest masterpieces, has come a long way since its modest beginnings in 1824. Originally opening with just 38 paintings purchased from banker J.J. Angerstein's collection, the gallery quickly outgrew its initial location at 100 Pall Mall. By 1838, it had found its permanent residence in Trafalgar Square, where it would undergo numerous developments to expand its collection and improve visitor experiences.

During its first 30 years the galleries housed mostly 15th and 16th century Italian paintings, many of which are still on display. But over the decades the collection has grown to encompass representatives from 1250 AD to 1900 AD.

Though it still houses works from the early 20th century, a decision was reached in 1996 to cut off acquisitions for any work post-1900 and several trades were arranged with the Tate Britain.

The works, which number in the thousands, now cover every great name and hundreds of lesser ones. Rembrandt's Self-Portrait at 34 is here, as is da Vinci's Virgin and Child with St Anne and St John. Titian's Death of Actaeon was purchased in 1972 and Raphael's Madonna of the Pinks in 2004. A Young Woman Standing at a Virginal (a musical instrument) by Vermeer is also here.

Holbein the Younger's The Ambassadors is part of the collection along with Botticelli's Venus and Mars and Vel squez' Rokeby Venus. Canaletto's Regatta on the Grand Canal and The Stonemason's Yard are here, showing the artists typically excellent sense of perspective and details of figure.

But there are several much later works, as well. Cezanne's Les Grandes Beigneuses is here. And what museum would be complete without a Monet Water-Lily Pond or a Renoir, such as The Umbrellas?

But unquestionably among the most well-known works in the Gallery are the Van Eyck Arnolfini Portrait, found in nearly every art history book, along with J.M.W. Turner's The Fighting Temeraire, and Van Gogh's Sunflowers.

Few major additions, though many minor and controversial ones, were made to the building until the addition of the Sainsbury Wing in 1991. That, too, was controversial but nearly everything in the art world is among some. The addition is modern, but nowhere near as large a contrast as the I.M. Pei addition to the Louvre. One of the highlights housed in the new wing is an altarpiece by Cima of The Incredulity of St Thomas.

Bicentenary celebration

2024 marked a significant milestone for the National Gallery as it commemorated its 200th anniversary with an extensive year-long festival, NG200. The celebrations extended beyond Trafalgar Square, reaching audiences across the UK through initiatives like the Art Road Trip, which brought mobile art studios to 18 locations nationwide. This program engaged over 200,000 participants, especially in communities with limited access to creative opportunities.

Additionally, the National Treasures tour showcased 12 beloved paintings, such as Monet’s The Water-Lily Pond and Botticelli’s Venus and Mars, in partner venues across the UK. For the first time in decades, some iconic works left the gallery to meet their wider audience, embodying the institution’s renewed commitment to truly being “the nation's gallery.”

Renovations and expansions

To better serve its six million annual visitors, the National Gallery unveiled a reimagined Sainsbury Wing in early 2025. The renovations included a new ground-level entrance designed to improve accessibility and visitor flow, as well as expanded public areas for orientation and engagement. These updates aimed to modernize the visitor experience while preserving the Wing’s iconic architecture, first opened in 1991.

The improvements didn’t stop there. A creative learning center and a dedicated space for members and patrons, called the Supporters’ House, were introduced, ensuring the gallery could cater to both casual visitors and art enthusiasts alike.

Fascinating discoveries accompanied the development work, as Saxon-era materials were found beneath the site, shedding new light on London’s ancient history. The careful balance between modernization and heritage preservation defines the gallery’s approach to change.

Redisplaying the collection

by 2026. This new thematic curation promises to spark fresh conversations by juxtaposing unexpected works—for example, pairing a 14th-century piece with a 20th-century one to highlight shared themes or techniques. While maintaining its chronological framework, this approach underscores the timeless nature of Western art and the connections between eras.

Reaching the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery is easy via train or the London Underground i.e. 'the tube' or subway. Exit at Charing Cross station.