Isabella Flores
The National Gallery in London was founded in 1824 when the British government bought 38 paintings from the heirs of John Julius Angerstein. The collection has grown considerably over the last two centuries, with early acquisitions coming from Angerstein's former townhouse in Pall Mall, Sir George Beaumont, and the Reverend William Holwell Carr. The role of the Gallery's early directors, especially Charles Lock Eastlake, was also pivotal in shaping the collection, as was the influence of private donations, which now account for two-thirds of the collection. The National Gallery has continued to acquire significant works over the years, including three 18th-century portraits by Gainsborough and Thomas Lawrence, and more recently, 20th-century paintings by artists such as Max Pechstein and Picasso.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of founding | 1824 |
| Initial number of paintings | 38 |
| Initial source of paintings | John Julius Angerstein's private collection |
| Other sources of paintings | Sir George Beaumont, Reverend William Holwell Carr, Sir Robert Peel, Henry Tate, Thomas Gainsborough, NHMF |
| Number of paintings currently in the collection | Over 2,300 |
| Date range of paintings | mid-13th century to 1900 |
| Location | Trafalgar Square, London |
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What You'll Learn
The National Gallery's foundation
The foundation of the National Gallery in London was laid with the purchase of 38 paintings from the private collection of the banker John Julius Angerstein in 1824. The collection was initially housed in Angerstein's former townhouse at No. 100 Pall Mall. The Gallery was founded to display a collection of paintings that belonged to the government on behalf of the British public.
The formation of the National Gallery was also influenced by the efforts of the British Institution, established in 1805 by aristocratic connoisseurs. The Institution's members lent works to annual exhibitions and supported an art school during the summer months. However, the paintings lent by its members were often mediocre, leading some artists to resent the Institution as a vehicle for the gentry to increase the sale prices of their Old Master paintings.
Sir George Beaumont, one of the Institution's founding members, played a pivotal role in the National Gallery's foundation by offering a gift of 16 paintings. In 1823, Beaumont promised his collection of pictures to the nation on the condition that suitable accommodation was provided for their display and conservation. This gift was made in 1826, and his paintings were displayed alongside Angerstein's collection at Pall Mall.
The Gallery's initial collection was also shaped by its early directors, particularly Charles Lock Eastlake, who became the first director in 1855. Eastlake travelled throughout Europe during his tenure, expanding the Gallery's collection of Italian paintings and making significant purchases, including Botticelli's "Adoration of the Kings" and Uccello's "The Battle of San Romano".
In 1832, construction began on a new building by William Wilkins on the site of the old Royal Mews in Charing Cross, transforming it into Trafalgar Square. The National Gallery moved to this new location in 1838, providing a more spacious and accessible setting for its growing collection.
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Private donations
The National Gallery in London was founded in 1824 with the purchase of 38 paintings from the private collection of the banker John Julius Angerstein. However, the majority of the gallery's collection has been acquired through private donations, which now account for two-thirds of its collection.
One of the most notable early private donations was made by Sir George Beaumont, Bt, a founding member of the British Institution, who donated 16 paintings in 1826. This included works by Raphael and Hogarth. In the same year, the Reverend William Holwell Carr bequeathed 35 paintings to the gallery.
In 1871, the gallery acquired 77 paintings from the collection of the late Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel, consisting mainly of Dutch and Flemish paintings.
In 1889, the industrialist Henry Tate offered his collection to the nation and funded the construction of a separate gallery for British works of art, which became known as the Tate Gallery.
The National Gallery has also benefited from the support of collectors and benefactors, who have made significant contributions to the gallery's collection through gifts, bequests, and financial donations. For example, the National Heritage Memorial Fund has helped the gallery acquire 11 works of art, including Titian's 'Diana and Actaeon'.
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Paintings from Angerstein's collection
The National Gallery in London was founded in 1824 with the purchase of 38 paintings from the collection of John Julius Angerstein, a Russian-born émigré banker based in London. Angerstein had started collecting art around 1790 with the help of painters Thomas Lawrence and Benjamin West. Over time, he amassed a fortune from a career in the City of London, including his work in insurance and as chairman of Lloyd's.
Angerstein's collection included Old Master paintings by artists such as Raphael, Titian, Correggio, Annibale Carracci, Ludovico Carracci, van Dyck, Rubens, Rembrandt, Velázquez, and Sebastiano del Piombo. Del Piombo's Raising of Lazarus, bought at the Orléans Collection sale in 1798, became the highlight of the collection. Angerstein also collected classical landscapes, such as Claude Lorrain's Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba, as well as works by William Hogarth, including the Marriage à la Mode series and Self-portrait with a Pug.
After Angerstein's death in 1823, the British government purchased 38 paintings from his collection and took over the lease of his Pall Mall townhouse, where the paintings were initially displayed. These works formed the nucleus of the National Gallery's collection when it opened in 1824. Angerstein's collection was joined in 1826 by 16 paintings donated by Sir George Beaumont and, in 1831, by a bequest of 35 paintings from the Reverend William Holwell Carr.
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Paintings from Beaumont's collection
The National Gallery in London was founded in 1824 when the British government bought 38 paintings from the heirs of John Julius Angerstein. The gallery was initially housed in Angerstein's former townhouse at No. 100 Pall Mall.
Sir George Beaumont, a major sponsor behind the creation of the National Gallery, offered 16 paintings from his collection on the condition that the British government bought Angerstein's collection. Beaumont, a landscape painter and art collector, had promised his collection to the nation in 1823, but his paintings only entered the gallery in 1826, two years after it opened.
Beaumont's collection included Italian works, such as a large altarpiece by Sebastiano del Piombo, 'The Raising of Lazarus', as well as fine examples of the Dutch, Flemish and English Schools.
Some of the paintings from Beaumont's collection that entered the National Gallery in 1826 include:
- Jan Both's 'A Rocky Landscape with Peasants and Pack Mules'
- Sébastien Bourdon's 'The Return of the Ark'
- Canaletto's 'Venice: Campo S.'
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Expansion of the Italian collection
The National Gallery, founded in 1824, initially had no formal collection policy, and new pictures were acquired according to the personal tastes of the Trustees. For the first 30 years of its existence, the trustees' independent acquisitions were mainly limited to works by High Renaissance masters.
In 1855, the Gallery administration underwent reform, and Sir Charles Eastlake was appointed as the first Director. Eastlake travelled throughout Europe to purchase works for the Gallery, expanding the collection of Italian paintings to become one of the best in the world. Some of the notable Italian works acquired during Eastlake's tenure include Botticelli's Adoration of the Kings and Uccello's The Battle of San Romano.
In 1871, the Gallery's collection was further broadened with the acquisition of 77 paintings from the collection of the late Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel. These consisted mainly of Dutch and Flemish paintings but also included Italian works such as Hobbema's The Avenue at Middleharnis.
The Gallery continued to expand its Italian collection with significant acquisitions over the years. For example, in 2009, the National Gallery jointly acquired Titian's Diana and Actaeon with the National Galleries of Scotland with the assistance of the National Heritage Memorial Fund.
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Frequently asked questions
The National Gallery was founded in 1824 with 38 paintings from the private collection of the banker John Julius Angerstein.
The National Gallery's collection was initially shaped by its directors and private donations, which now account for two-thirds of the collection. For example, in 1826, the Gallery acquired 16 paintings from Sir George Beaumont. In 1831, the Reverend William Holwell Carr bequeathed 35 paintings. In 1855, the Director, Sir Charles Eastlake, travelled across Europe to purchase works, including Botticelli's Adoration of the Kings.
The National Gallery has also received paintings through bequests, exchanges, and financial donations. For example, in 1871, the Gallery purchased 77 paintings from the collection of the late Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel. In 1889, the industrialist Henry Tate offered his collection to the nation and funded the construction of a separate Gallery for British works of art, now known as the Tate Gallery.
In 2009, the National Gallery acquired Titian's Diana and Actaeon with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund. In 2019, the Gallery acquired Thomas Gainsborough's Portrait of Margaret Gainsborough holding a Theorbo.
