The National Gallery’s Must-See Exhibitions in 2026
The National Gallery has an extraordinary lineup of exhibitions planned for 2026, showcasing a diverse range of artists, styles, and historical periods. Here’s a glimpse at what’s coming:
1. Radical Harmony: Helene Kröller-Müller’s Neo-Impressionists
Dates: 13 September 2025 – 8 February 2026
This exhibition highlights the remarkable collection of Helene Kröller-Müller, one of the 20th century’s pioneering art patrons. Featuring works by Neo-Impressionist masters like Georges Seurat, Paul Signac, and Anna Boch, it offers a rare look at the vibrant art of French, Belgian, and Dutch painters from 1886 to the early 20th century.
2. Wright of Derby: From the Shadows
Dates: 7 November 2025 – 10 May 2026
The first exhibition at the National Gallery dedicated to Joseph Wright ‘of Derby’ focuses on his iconic ‘candlelight’ paintings. This show reexamines Wright’s exploration of night-time themes, delving into ideas of mortality, morality, and the sublime.
3. Edwin Austin Abbey: By the Dawn’s Early Light
Dates: 20 November 2025 – 15 February 2026
This exhibition showcases Abbey’s monumental design for the ceiling of the Pennsylvania State Capitol’s House of Representatives. The 12-foot-diameter half-scale design, The Hours, features 24 female figures representing the hours of the day and is displayed in the UK for the first time in over a century.
4. Ming Wong: National Gallery Artist in Residence 2025
Dates: 15 January – 5 April 2026
Ming Wong’s residency culminates in a new film and installation inspired by depictions of Saint Sebastian in the Gallery’s collection and the work of Derek Jarman. Wong’s short film reimagines Jarman’s Sebastiane within the National Gallery’s historic setting.
5. Stubbs: Portrait of a Horse
Dates: 12 March – 31 May 2026
This exhibition celebrates George Stubbs’ renowned equine portraiture, focusing on Scrub, a bay horse painted for the Marquess of Rockingham. It also explores Stubbs’ anatomical studies and his later series of racehorse portraits.
6. Zurbarán
Dates: 2 May – 23 August 2026
The first major UK exhibition dedicated to Francisco de Zurbarán in over 30 years, this show features nearly 50 works spanning the artist’s career. Highlights include loans from the Musée du Louvre and the Art Institute of Chicago, offering a comprehensive look at Zurbarán’s mastery.
7. Waldmüller: Landscapes
Dates: 2 July – 20 September 2026
This summer exhibition is the first in the UK to focus on Austrian artist Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller’s landscapes. Known for his commitment to truth and detail, Waldmüller’s works capture the beauty of 19th-century Austrian scenery.
8. Renoir and Love
Dates: 3 October 2026 – 31 January 2027
This exhibition, the most significant UK showcase of Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s work in 20 years, explores themes of affection, flirtation, and sociability in Renoir’s art. Iconic works like Bal au Moulin de la Galette (1876) will be on display, marking a rare opportunity to see this masterpiece in the UK.
9. Van Eyck: The Portraits
Dates: 21 November 2026 – 11 April 2027
The first exhibition dedicated to Jan van Eyck’s portraits brings together all nine of his surviving works, including the Arnolfini Portrait and Portrait of a Man (Self Portrait?). This groundbreaking show highlights van Eyck’s revolutionary approach to portraiture and his redefinition of who could be depicted in art.
With such an incredible variety of exhibitions, 2026 promises to be an unforgettable year at the National Gallery. From Neo-Impressionist masterpieces to groundbreaking portraiture, there’s something for every art lover to enjoy.