What to see in the National Gallery, the main museum in London

The National Gallery is located in the main square of London, Trafalgar Square, and is also the main museum in the United Kingdom and one of the most important in the world. Visiting it is a must if you visit London and it also has a very interesting incentive: it is free.
In this spectacular museum you can see paintings by the most important artists in the world and it is dedicated exclusively to this art. And it is also in a spectacular area of London with enviable surroundings that you should not miss.
In order not to miss anything, we recommend you take this guided tour of the National Gallery.
The History of the National Gallery
Located in a beautiful neoclassical building that presides over Trafalgar Square, it was not always in this location.
When the National Gallery was founded, the headquarters were in the home of magnate John Julius Angerstein.
It consisted of 38 paintings that were bought by the British state for 50,000 pounds, thus beginning the history of one of the most important art galleries in the world.
In 1831 it was decided to build the headquarters in Trafalgar Square as it was such a central area that it was perfect for the rich to come in their carriages from the western quarters and the poor on foot from the eastern quarters.
Also, the National Gallery collection would be free. The museum thus began to grow until it reached 2,300 works, for which it needed several extensions, reaching the building that we can see today.
What to see at the National Gallery
In the impressive National Gallery we can currently see more than 2,300 paintings.
It is a much smaller museum than other similar ones such as the Louvre Museum or the New York Metropolitan, so you can see it in less time.
In the museum you can see works by Raphael, Titian, Velázquez, Van Gogh, Michelangelo, Rembrandt and even Goya.
Among the most important works to see at the National Gallery you have:
- The Venus of the Mirror, by Velázquez.
- Van Gogh’s Vase with 15 Sunflowers.
- Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and his Wife, by Van Eyck.
- Christ in the House of Marta and María, by Velázquez.
- Santa Margarita, Zurbarán.
- Rain, steam and speed. Turner’s The Great Western Railway.
- Diana and Actaeon, by Titian.
- Virgin of the Carnations, by Rafael.
In the National Gallery you can see paintings that cover a large time spectrum, from the year 1200 to 1900 and as we have said before there are no decorative arts or sculptures. The quality and variety of the museum’s works make it an essential visit.
You can find more information on the official website of the National Gallery.