Erected on the north side of Trafalgar Square in the heart of London, this major state institution was founded in 1824 following the British government’s purchase of merchant John Julius Angerstein’s private collection. Unlike many continental museums originating from private royal collections, the London establishment was designed from the outset to offer entirely free and open access to the general public.

Preserving an exceptional holding of more than two thousand three hundred Western European paintings from the mid-13th century to 1900, the gallery covers all major pictorial schools with remarkable balance. The rooms house first-rate pieces such as Van Eyck’s The Arnolfini Portrait, Leonardo da Vinci’s Virgin of the Rocks, Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, and landscapes by Constable and Turner. The Renaissance period rivals Dutch masterpieces from the Rijksmuseum.

An essential pillar of British and international cultural life, this museum contributes decisively to scientific research and the rigorous restoration of heritage artworks. Its exceptional location on one of the world’s most famous squares makes it an essential stop for all fine arts enthusiasts. The permanent free admission to its galleries perpetuates its beautiful original democratic vocation.

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