The National Gallery

The National Gallery is a London art museum that houses Great Britain’s national collection European paintings. It can be found on the north side, Westminster's Trafalgar Square.

In 1824, the British government purchased 38 paintings from John Julius Angerstein's estate to create the National Gallery. It was first displayed in Angerstein’s 100 Pall Mall house on May 10, 1824. In 1838, it was reopened to public in its current location. The Neoclassical structure was designed by William Wilkins, a Greek Revival architect. It was further expanded in 1876, 1886 and 1975. In 1991, the Sainsbury Wing was added by Robert Venturi, an American architect. Modern British art was displayed at the National Gallery until the opening of Tate Gallery, 1897.

It contains approximately 2,600 pieces and is widely considered the best collection of European paintings in the world. It houses the largest collection of Italian Renaissance paintings other than Italy. This includes works by many of the Venetian and Florentine masters. It also has impressive collections of works by British, Dutch and Flemish painters, from the 15th through the 19th centuries. Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael are just a few of the artists represented. It is noteworthy that the museum has a small collection of French Impressionist paintings and Post-Impressionist paintings. Most of these works are displayed.