National gallery

Inès KADHI, Milena BITON 2nd6

                        The National Gallery

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The National Gallery is an art museum located on Trafalgar Square in London.

The National Gallery stands on the site of the King’s Mews. The Gallery’s architect, William Wilkins, used many of the construction methods of the Mews building when he built the National Gallery.

In 1826 the home of the Prince Regent was demolished but its impressive cullumns were saved.

Wilkins selected 8 of the columns to use in his new National Gallery building. The gallery was compared unfavorably with other national art galleries as The Louvre in Paris, and ridiculed in the press.

In 182’, the House of Commons payed £57,000 for the collection. The 38 pictures were intended to form a new national collection. But because of its size, in 1831 Parliament agreed to construct a real building at Trafalgar Square.

This location could be reached by the richdriving in their carriages from the west of London, and by feet by the poor from the East End.

It was felt that in this locationthe paintings could be enjoyed by all classes’ society.

The museum is totally free for everyone so if you come visit London, do not hesitate to go visit it !

It’s open every day from 10 am to 6 pm and to 9 pm on Friday. You can access by subway at the stops : Westminster, Picadilly, Leicester Square and Charing Cross. And by the buses :24, 176, 29, 6, 13 and  23.

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