When did the National Gallery open to the public?
The National Gallery opened its doors on 100 Pall Mall later that same year, which was 1823. The building was once John Julius Angerstein's private townhouse before becoming a new public gallery.
Questions about National Gallery
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who designed the main building of the National Gallery in London?
William Wilkins received the commission to design a new gallery after economic recession delayed earlier plans by John Nash. His building opened to the public on the 9th of April 1838 but faced immediate criticism for its shallow depth and low elevation.
Where were paintings stored during World War II at the National Gallery?
A slate quarry at Manod near Blaenau Ffestiniog became the new home for the collection when paintings were evacuated to Wales shortly before World War II began. Helmut Ruhemann led another restoration campaign during World War II while paintings were stored in Manod Quarry.
What happened to Velázquez's Rokeby Venus on the 10th of March 1914?
Mary Richardson damaged Velázquez's Rokeby Venus on the 10th of March 1914 as protest against Emmeline Pankhurst's arrest. Another suffragette attacked five Bellinis later that month causing closure until World War I began.
When was the Sainsbury Wing added to the National Gallery?
The Sainsbury Wing arrived much later in 1991, designed by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown. This postmodernist extension houses Renaissance paintings while incorporating stylistic quotations from Ancient Egyptian temples and Victorian warehouses.