London Attractions
Description
Venue: National Gallery When: Daily
The National Gallery in London contains European paintings from the 13th to the 20th centuries. The majority of these can be seen free of charge in its grand neoclassical home on Trafalgar Square. From Leonardo da Vinci's Virgin of the Rocks (1508) to Seurat's The Bathers (1884), this is one of the finest art collections in the world.
The collection officially began with a purchase by parliament of a private collection in 1824 and has grown ever since. But unlike the daunting size of the Metropolitan Museum in New York or the Louvre in Paris, this collection is manageable.
Take an audio guide or just wander around the main rooms and discover the masterpieces for yourself. Entering by the Sainsbury wing starts your visit with early painting up to 1510, including paintings by Piero della Francesca and Botticelli such as his remarkable Venus and Mars (1485).
In the main galleries are the later Italian works: star pieces are by Leonardo, Michelangelo and Titian - including the dazzling Bacchus and Ariadne (1522-1523) - and the darker brushstrokes of Tintoretto. There is a luminous Raphael portrait of Pope Julius II (1511-1512) in the room to the right, which makes a fascinating comparison to the portraits by Hans Holbein a few rooms further through.
Towards the back of the gallery (away from Trafalgar Square) are the Dutch masterpieces: a small, subtly lit, atmospheric room with Vermeers and de Hoochs, as well as a large, dazzling room full of Rembrandts. In the vicinity are works by Rubens and Van Dyck, including one of the former's most inspired works, Samson and Delilah (1610-1613).
The East Wing boasts the only extant nude by Spanish master Vel´zquez, the so-called Rokeby Venus (1647-1651) - one of the most delicate, moving, simple nudes ever painted, with edges so soft they seem to glow. Nearby are impressionist and post-impressionist works including Van Gogh's Sunflowers, Monet, Seurat, Manet (the disturbing, compulsive Execution of Maximilian (1867-8)) and Degas.
The home-grown art features great works by Stubbs, Gainsborough, Constable and Turner - including his Fighting Temeraire. To see more British art, visit Tate Britain on the river at Vauxhall.
The Gallery is well appointed with shops, restaurants and cafes should you need a break from rubber-necking.
The National Gallery in London contains European paintings from the 13th to the 20th centuries. The majority of these can be seen free of charge in its grand neoclassical home on Trafalgar Square. From Leonardo da Vinci's Virgin of the Rocks (1508) to Seurat's The Bathers (1884), this is one of the finest art collections in the world.
The collection officially began with a purchase by parliament of a private collection in 1824 and has grown ever since. But unlike the daunting size of the Metropolitan Museum in New York or the Louvre in Paris, this collection is manageable.
Take an audio guide or just wander around the main rooms and discover the masterpieces for yourself. Entering by the Sainsbury wing starts your visit with early painting up to 1510, including paintings by Piero della Francesca and Botticelli such as his remarkable Venus and Mars (1485).
In the main galleries are the later Italian works: star pieces are by Leonardo, Michelangelo and Titian - including the dazzling Bacchus and Ariadne (1522-1523) - and the darker brushstrokes of Tintoretto. There is a luminous Raphael portrait of Pope Julius II (1511-1512) in the room to the right, which makes a fascinating comparison to the portraits by Hans Holbein a few rooms further through.
Towards the back of the gallery (away from Trafalgar Square) are the Dutch masterpieces: a small, subtly lit, atmospheric room with Vermeers and de Hoochs, as well as a large, dazzling room full of Rembrandts. In the vicinity are works by Rubens and Van Dyck, including one of the former's most inspired works, Samson and Delilah (1610-1613).
The East Wing boasts the only extant nude by Spanish master Vel´zquez, the so-called Rokeby Venus (1647-1651) - one of the most delicate, moving, simple nudes ever painted, with edges so soft they seem to glow. Nearby are impressionist and post-impressionist works including Van Gogh's Sunflowers, Monet, Seurat, Manet (the disturbing, compulsive Execution of Maximilian (1867-8)) and Degas.
The home-grown art features great works by Stubbs, Gainsborough, Constable and Turner - including his Fighting Temeraire. To see more British art, visit Tate Britain on the river at Vauxhall.
The Gallery is well appointed with shops, restaurants and cafes should you need a break from rubber-necking.
London Information
Visit London
Address: There are drop-in Tourist Information Centres in Victoria Station, Liverpool St Station, Heathrow near the underground and other venues around London. See their website for details.
Phone: +44 (0) 8701 566 366
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Looking for things to do around London? Here are some of the events and attractions happening in the area.
| First Thursdays |
3 Jul 2008 (monthly) London |
| Candide at ENO |
2 Jul 2008 (various dates) London Coliseum, London |
| Lou Reed |
30 Jun 2008 Royal Albert Hall, London |
| Pride London |
5 Jul 2008 (annual) Hyde Park |
| Wimbledon Championships |
23 Jun - 6 Jul 2008 (annual) The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club |
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