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National Gallery (London)

The National Gallery has over 2,200 paintings, most on permanent display. The collection was started in 1824 when George IV persuaded a reluctant government to purchase 38 major paintings. These became the core of a national collection of European art that now ranges from Giotto in the 13th century to the 19th-century Impressionisl'. The gallery's particular strengths are in Dutch, Italian Renaissance, and 17th-century Spanish painting.

The National Gallery 's paintings are hung in chronological order. In 1991 the modern Sainsbury Wing was added to the main Neoclassical building (1834-8) to house the impressive Early Renaissance collection (1260¬1510). The Leonardo Cartoon (c.1500), a chalk drawing by Leonardo da Vinci of the Virgin and Child, St. Anne, and John the Baptist, is one of the highlights. Other important Italian painters represented include Masaccio, Piero della Francesca, and Botticelli. Perhaps the most famous of the Northern European works is The Arnolfini Marriage by Jan van Eyck (1434).

Most of the gallery's other exhibits are housed on the first floor of the main building. Among the 16th-century paintings, 1be Adoration of the Kings (1564) by Flemish artist Pieter Brueghel the Elder is notable. Christ Mocked (1490-1500) by Hieronymus Bosch is included in the Netherlandish and German section. The superb Dutch collection gives two entire rooms to Rembrandt. Annibale Carracci and Caravaggio are strongly represented among Italian painters. Spanish artist Diego Velazquez's only surviving female nude, the Rokeby Venus (1647-51), is one of the most popular and well-known of the 17th-century works of art. The great age of 19th century landscape painting is perhaps best represented by Constable's The Hay Wain (1821), a masterpiece of changing light and shadow.

In the Impressionist section, Renoir's Boating on the Seine (1879-80) demonstrates the free, flickering touch used by the movement's artists to capture the fleeting moment. Other 19th-century highlighl' include Van Gogh's sun flowers, Monet's Waterlilies, Rousseau's Tropical Storm with Tiger, and Seurat's Bathers at Asnieres.

Lesser paintings of all periods are displayed on the lower floor of the main building. The better of the gallery's two restaurants is located in the Sainsbury Wing.

Open Daily 10am-6pm Wednesday 10am-9pm (Closing commences 5 mins before time stated)
Closed 1 January and 24-26 December
Phone 020 7747 2885 (including Typetalk)
Address Information Department The National Gallery Trafalgar Square London WC2N 5DN
Web www.nationalgallery.org.uk

Museums in London

• British Museum (London)
• Kew Bridge Steam Museum (London)
• London Transport Museum (London)
• Madame Tussaud's (London)
• Museum of London (London)
• National Gallery (London)
• National Maritime Museum (London)
• National Portrait Gallery (London)
• Natural History Museum (London)
• Old Royal Observatory (London)
• Queen's Gallery (London)
• Science Museum (London)
• Tate Britain (London)
• Tate Modern (London)
• Tower Bridge Experince (London)
• Victoria and Albert Museum (London)