The National Gallery, London

Photo by Rudolph Schuba

192 years ago today, the National Gallery opened its doors to a public hungry for culture.  Over the 2 centuries since, it has amassed a hoard of art to savour.  The Brits were imperialists all right, but the National’s collection developed more by osmosis than through seizure of art hoards via conquest (compare and contrast, arguably, the case of the Elgin Marbles).  They started back in the pack compared to the Louvre and the Hermitage but made up for it coming down the straight.

For a small example, if you want to see these in the flesh…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…you’ll need to go to the National in Trafalgar Square.  Many happy returns.