The National Gallery in London is an art museum in Trafalgar Square in the City of Westminster, in Central London. Founded in 1824, it houses a collection of over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900. The Gallery is an independent charity with a collection of over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century. It is among the most visited art museums in the world, after the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The National Gallery was first established in 1824, when the British government bought 38 paintings from the heirs of John Julius Angerstein. These works formed the basis of the collection and were displayed in Angerstein’s former home at 100 Pall Mall. The Gallery was initially housed in cramped quarters in Pall Mall and was open to the public on Sundays only. In 1828, the Gallery moved to Trafalgar Square, where it was occupied by Angerstein’s house. The new building, designed by architect William Wilkins, was completed in 1838 and quickly became too small to accommodate the growing collection. In 1841, the government acquired an adjoining building, and in 1845, they bought a third site. The National Gallery was finally able to move into its current home on Trafalgar Square in 1874.
The collection of paintings at the National Gallery dates from the mid-13th century to 1900 and includes works by some of the most famous painters in the world, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, and Vincent van Gogh. The Gallery also has a large collection of British paintings, including works by J. M. W. Turner and John Constable. In addition to paintings, the National Gallery also has a significant collection of drawings, watercolors, prints, and photographs.
The National Gallery is open to the public every day except Monday, when it is closed. Admission to the Gallery is free, but there is a charge for some special exhibitions.
