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#OnThisDay in 1838 we first opened our doors in Trafalgar Square but #DidYouKnow that this wasn't our first home?
We might be closed at the moment but we can still take a trip down memory lane and tell you all about our history. #MuseumFromHome
THREAD
We might be closed at the moment but we can still take a trip down memory lane and tell you all about our history. #MuseumFromHome
THREAD
The first paintings:In April 1824 the House of Commons agreed to pay £57,000 for the picture collection of the banker John Julius Angerstein.
His 38 pictures were intended to form the core of a new national collection, for the enjoyment and education of all.
Angerstein's collection consisted of Italian works, including a large altarpiece by Sebastiano del Piombo, 'The Raising of Lazarus' which still has the inventory number NG1 today: https://bit.ly/2JTjDXO
The pictures were displayed at Angerstein's house at 100 Pall Mall until a dedicated gallery building was built.
The size of the building was compared unfavourably with other national art galleries, such as the Louvre in Paris, and ridiculed in the press...
The size of the building was compared unfavourably with other national art galleries, such as the Louvre in Paris, and ridiculed in the press...
A new homeIn 1831 Parliament agreed to construct a building for the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square.
There had been lengthy discussion about the best site for the Gallery, and Trafalgar Square was chosen as it was considered to be at the very centre of London.
Trafalgar Square could be reached by the rich driving in their carriages from the west of London, and on foot by the poor from the East End.
It was felt that in this location the paintings could be enjoyed by all classes in society.
It was felt that in this location the paintings could be enjoyed by all classes in society.
With a commitment to free admission, a central and accessible site, and extended opening hours the Gallery ensured that its collection could be enjoyed by the widest public possible.
So that's how we came to be in Trafalgar Square!
You can learn all about our collection online here or by using some of the links in the tweet below: https://bit.ly/2XodnQ6
We can't wait to welcome you all back.
You can learn all about our collection online here or by using some of the links in the tweet below: https://bit.ly/2XodnQ6
We can't wait to welcome you all back.
Delve deeper into our history: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/about-us/history/about-the-building?viewPage=1
Take a closer look at all of our paintings: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/search-the-collection Find out more about how our collection began: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/about-us/history/collection-history
Go behind the scenes at the Gallery: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/behind-the-scenes
If you want to know more, 'The National Gallery: An Illustrated History' is the perfect book for you! This book aims to give insight into the history of the people and events that have helped shape the Gallery: https://bit.ly/2RgF75d
