Tag: National Gallery London

National Gallery London offers ‘Pay what you wish’ Fridays

Art lovers in London are in for a treat, as the National Gallery launches an inspiring new initiative as part of its NG200 celebrations. For the first time, visitors will have the chance to pay what they like to experience the critically acclaimed exhibition José María Velasco: A View of Mexico. Every Friday from 10am to 9pm, until 17 August, you can book a ticket for as little as £1 to immerse yourself in this one-of-a-kind showcase. A Historic First for the National Gallery This initiative marks the first time the National Gallery has offered ‘Pay What You Wish’ access throughout the entire day on Fridays for one of its ticketed exhibitions. Previously, this scheme ran only during evening hours for blockbuster exhibitions like Lucian Freud, Frans Hals, and After Impressionism. Now, it’s available all day, giving more people the opportunity to experience the art of José María Velasco, one of Mexico’s most celebrated 19th-century painters. The exhibition, which is the first UK monographic display dedicated to Velasco and the Gallery’s first-ever show centred on a historical Latin American artist, coincides with two significant milestones. It celebrates the 200th anniversary of UK–Mexico diplomatic relations and is part of the NG200 festivities, commemorating the Gallery’s bicentenary. Velasco’s masterpieces embody a unique cultural and historical perspective, offering a fresh addition to the Gallery’s longstanding tradition of showcasing global art beyond Europe. Who Was José María Velasco? José María Velasco (1840–1912) is a colossal figure in Mexican art, known for his extraordinary depictions of the Valley of Mexico…. Read More

Who the new artist in residence is at the National Gallery London

Renowned for his interdisciplinary practice, Wong explores the politics of identity and representation through film, performance, painting, and installation. His works often re-stage iconic scenes from world cinema to examine the construction of individual and national identities.

See The National Gallery’s The Petit Bras by Monet from 2025-27

Who says you have to travel to Paris to soak up some Monet? Thanks to the National Gallery’s Masterpiece Tour 2025–27, you can experience genius-level Impressionism without even needing your passport. Monet’s The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil (1872) is packing its bags—well, metaphorically—and hitting the road for a once-in-two-decades adventure across the UK. It’s the equivalent of an A-list celebrity making a rare appearance in your local gallery. Don’t miss the chance to say, “I saw it here first” when it rolls into Norwich, South Shields, Blackpool, and Hull. This is serious art with some fabulous side quests. The painting, which depicts Monet’s tranquil moment by a wintery riverside, will pop up in four unique galleries, each adding its own creative spin. From trauma-informed cafés designed to foster community healing at the Sainsbury Centre to multi-sensory, accessible installations at the Ferens Art Gallery, the exhibitions aim to make sure art for everyone isn’t just a catchy slogan. And let’s not forget the annual schools’ responses, artistic collaborations, and even the chance to see the work exhibited alongside cutting-edge contemporary art. The National Gallery’s Masterpiece Tour has been impressing art fans far and wide for over a decade—over a million visitors and counting, in fact! Sir Gabriele Finaldi, National Gallery Director (and clearly a fan of bringing the art to the people), puts it best when he says it’s about connecting art to the entire cultural ecosystem of the UK. Monet might’ve painted calm rivers and whispering trees, but the buzz of excitement… Read More

National Gallery in London has bought an iconic new piece of art

The National Gallery has brought a new piece of art and if classical history is your thing then this will get you excited. Well, folks, the National Gallery’s 200th-anniversary bash just got a whole lot fancier. They’ve gone and added “After the Audience” by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836–1912) to their collection. That’s right, this is the third piece they’ve snagged this year to mark the big 2-0-0. Not just any piece, mind you—this is a colossal work of art that screams ambition, scale, and historical oomph, fresh for your eyes in Room 45 starting today, Thursday, 15 August 2024. So, who is this Alma-Tadema bloke? Born in the Netherlands but a British darling by choice, he was the darling of the Victorian era, mesmerizing everyone with his pitch-perfect portrayals of Classical antiquity. While his work took a bit of a nap in the public eye posthumously, it’s been back in vogue since the groovy ’60s. “After the Audience” takes us way back to Ancient Rome and showcases Agrippa, the son-in-law of Emperor Augustus, striding up the stairs of his villa after a long day of listening to petitioners from all corners of the Empire. The gifts from these petitioners are sprawled out in the foreground, making for quite the visual feast. The National Gallery didn’t just stumble upon this masterpiece; it was a well-orchestrated acquisition from a private collection, thanks to the wheeling and dealing by Christie’s Private Sales. The purchase was made possible due to the generosity of Mrs. Martha Doris Bailey, Mr. Richard… Read More

National Gallery’s Bicentenary gets a huge funding boost

The National Gallery is delighted to announce that it has reached its Bicentenary fundraising campaign target, thanks to a generous grant of £5m from the newly established Julia Rausing Trust. Launched in 2022 with a goal of £95m, the campaign is the largest in the Gallery’s history. The grant from the Julia Rausing Trust has enabled the campaign target to be reached two months after the Gallery celebrated its 200th birthday and the start of a year celebrating creativity, great art, and the history of the National Gallery. The Trust, founded by Julia’s husband Hans Rausing following her death in April 2024, will grant funds to organisations and causes which were important and meaningful to Julia Rausing, reflecting her significant philanthropy over a number of years. Many of the Gallery’s Bicentenary programmes are currently underway, with Art Road Trip’s travelling art studio bringing an experience of the Gallery to communities with particularly high barriers to arts and culture; and National Treasures, where 12 of the Gallery’s most famous paintings are spending the summer on loan to museums and galleries in cities around the UK. Work is also in progress on a suite of capital projects at the Gallery’s home in Trafalgar Square, improving the welcome visitors are given at the Sainsbury Wing and the facilities for learning and research at all ages and stages. The grant from the Julia Rausing Trust will be put towards aspects of the capital project, in particular a new underground link between the Wilkins and Sainsbury buildings, in the space… Read More

Momentous moment in art at National Gallery London

In 2025, the art world will witness a remarkable event at the National Gallery as “Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300?1350” opens its doors in spring, marking the 200th anniversary of the institution. This exhibition promises an unprecedented reunion of paintings by some of the most celebrated Italian artists of the 14th century, artworks that have been scattered across the globe for centuries. Highlighting this unique collection are masterpieces in gold ground, many originally part of larger compositions, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the innovative spirit of Western painting tradition from this era. The spotlight of the exhibition is the coming together of several panels from the revolutionary double-sided altarpiece, the Maestà, painted by Duccio di Buoninsegna for the cathedral in Siena. Recognized as the first double-sided altarpiece in Western art, this narrative shift in art will be showcased along with other significant pieces from the ensemble. Notably, the National Gallery’s panels from the Maestà will be reunited with works like “Christ and the Woman of Samaria” from the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, and “The Calling of the Apostles Peter and Andrew” from the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Another focal point is the reunion of the Orsini Polyptych by Simone Martini, a folding piece created for private devotion, likely for Cardinal Napoleone Orsini. Dispersed between prestigious institutions – the Louvre in Paris, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, and the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin – the exhibition will bring together all six panels for a rare presentation. Besides these reunifications, the exhibition… Read More

National Gallery’s record-breaking year

In 2023, art enthusiasts around the world flocked to experience the awe-inspiring collection and captivating exhibitions offered by the National Gallery, London. The Gallery proudly announced an astounding total of 4,287,434 in-person visits to its premises and various immersive programs both locally and across the globe. This momentous achievement reflects the unwavering passion and dedication of art lovers who seek to connect with the beauty and creativity encapsulated within the National Gallery’s treasures. A Global Spectacle of Art Appreciation The impact of the National Gallery reverberated globally, with 952,551 visits recorded during the 2023?4 exhibition tour of Asia, spanning acclaimed venues such as the Shanghai Museum, The National Museum of Korea, and Hong Kong Palace Museum. Additionally, 154,202 visits were made to captivating National Gallery displays and exhibitions during their UK tour. These figures illustrate the far-reaching influence of the National Gallery’s artistic prowess, captivating audiences from diverse cultural landscapes. Thriving at Home: Trafalgar Square Triumph Undoubtedly, the beating heart of this remarkable feat lies in the impressive 3,096,508 visits to the Gallery in Trafalgar Square during 2023, representing a remarkable 14% increase from the previous year. Furthermore, the Gallery welcomed 26,201 school students and teachers, affirming its commitment to nurturing the next generation’s appreciation for art. Moreover, the Gallery’s Summer on the Square free outdoor festival of creativity drew an exhilarating 25,932 visits, underscoring the Gallery’s role as a vibrant hub of artistic expression and inspiration. Embracing the Digital Realm: Unprecedented Engagement In an age defined by digital connectivity, the National Gallery demonstrated exceptional… Read More

See Pesellino’s work at the National Gallery, London

The art world is abuzz with anticipation as the National Gallery prepares to host the first-ever career-spanning exhibition dedicated to Renaissance painter Francesco Pesellino, set to open in December 2023. Active in Florence during the mid-15th century, Pesellino’s early demise at just 35 years of age and the subsequent misattribution of his surviving works have resulted in him being somewhat of an unsung hero of the Renaissance period. Born Francesco di Stefano in 1422, Pesellino was raised by his grandfather Pesello, a proficient painter in his own right, who likely sparked the young artist’s passion for the craft. Despite Pesellino’s untimely death, his legacy in the art world is undeniable, with chroniclers and historians noting his exceptional talent, especially in painting ‘cose picole’ or small things, and his propensity for collaboration. His commissions from the ruling Medici family of Florence solidified his standing within the artistic community. The National Gallery is in a unique position to present Pesellino’s work to a wider audience, with two of his undisputed masterpieces forming part of their collection. The Story of David cassone panels and the Pistoia Santa Trinità Altarpiece provide a showcase of the breadth and depth of Pesellino’s talents, from complex narratives and ceremonial splendour to meticulous detail and a keen observation of animals. Recent conservation efforts have further highlighted the intricacies of Pesellino’s work, allowing viewers to appreciate these incredible art pieces as they were intended. Dr Laura Llewellyn, Curator of Italian Paintings before 1500, opines, “Works by Pesellino are rare indeed, but at the National… Read More

Become a part of the National Gallery London this summer

The National Gallery‘s Artist in Residence, Céline Condorelli, is creating a new exhibition from September 13, 2023, to January 7, 2024, that will feature various installations inspired by the Gallery’s iconic collections. Visitors can enjoy a new work of art by reclining on the floor of one of the Gallery’s most imposing rooms and admiring the new 25-by-64-metre textile sculpture on the ceiling. Additionally, visitors can hear field recordings and everyday voices of Trafalgar Square through a new audio work that connects the inside of the Gallery with the world outside. Céline Condorelli, who lives and works in London, focuses on bridging the boundaries between public and private, art and function, work and leisure, to reimagine the culture and society’s role of artists within them. She is the third Artist in Residence chosen since the launch of the National Gallery’s new Modern and Contemporary Programme. Condorelli’s work responds to the visitors’ experiences of looking at art by addressing the historical significance of furnishings and picture hangings, the use of carpets for children during storytelling activities, and scanning and imaging technologies pioneered by the Gallery’s scientific department. Moreover, she reflects on how visitors engage with art and spaces in the Gallery. Céline Condorelli’s residency will culminate in a publication and a display featuring her work at the National Gallery. With the support of the Contemporary Art Society, one of the works relating to the residency will enter RAMM’s collection. The Artist in Residence program is sponsored by Hiscox and is a collaboration between the National Gallery,… Read More