THE chance to celebrate the 200th birthday of a treasured institution comes around fairly rarely. But today, in the very heart of London, the champagne corks will be popping as the National Gallery, one of Britain’s great cultural jewels, hits that venerable age. It will put on a Big Weekend of celebrations, kicked off by a spectacular illumination show projected onto the front of the famous neo-classical building in Trafalgar Square from 9pm tonight.
There will also be concerts — masterminded by Jools Holland — workshops, talks and tours, as well as tales from the gallery’s storied history.
Gabriele Finaldi is the National Gallery director who sees in the 200. “It’s an enormous privilege to be part of the generation that crosses the threshold into its third century,” he says. “It’s not like any year; the bicentenary has galvanised people’s affection for the gallery and their generosity towards it.” He adds, with a laugh: “We’d stretch the birthday celebrations to 200 years if we could.”
Over the past two centuries, more than 300 million people have come to see some of the most recognisable paintings in the history of art. Today they visit from all over the world to experience the joys of work by masters from Leonardo to Turner, Raphael to Van Gogh, Constable to Botticelli.
It may have a global appeal but its importance to London and its inhabitants is at its core. Finaldi, 59, says: “For Londoners, many of us were brought up with the National Gallery; we felt it was ours and it has become a part of the fibre of our lives… It’s embedded in this history of this country and the history of London.”
Bu hikaye Evening Standard dergisinin May 10, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Evening Standard dergisinin May 10, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Revolving door policy traps Blues in a spin
Pochettino exit leaves club seeking another coach and owners' strategy under scrutiny
Hunt hit by inflation 'miss' and benefits bill
JEREMY HUNT was dealt a double blow today as a smaller than expected fall in the rate of inflation hit hopes of a rate cut in June, while worse than expected public finance figures limited the Chancellor's scope for a pre-Budget tax cut.
Rejuvenated M&S posts best profits ina decade
MARKS & Spencer continued its return to form today posting its best profits in a decade and promising investors more good news to come.
I've rarely been as stunned as I was by this incredible collection of photography
I'M not being funny but... how incredible are London's museums and galleries? Last week I said I would share some of my favourite things to do in London that didn't involve drinking. It might be obvious to think of a museum as a good place to go, but sometimes they offer a lot more than we expect.
Too scared to speak in his own defence, but Trump powers on
DONALD Trump has complained nonstop for weeks about being gagged. The hush money trial, involving an alleged pay-off to porn star Stormy Daniels, has been monstrously unfair, he wailed repeatedly outside court.
Classics only at this palatial enclave
THE all-knowing Google counts 175 five-star hotels in London. The newest of these is the Emory, a glittering space opposite Hyde Park and adjacent to the Berkeley, which opened in 1867 and is also owned by the Maybourne Group, tireless in its pursuit of grandeur.
Praise from across party divide for bionic MP’ who lost limbs to sepsis
A CONSERVATIVE MP who lost four limbs to a life-threatening bout of sepsis vowed to raise awareness of the condition - as he was set to return to Parliament today.
Debts, royals, A-listers inside a fashion fail
Worn by everyone from Princess of Wales to Kylie, Susie Cave’s The Vampire’s Wife created the dress of the decade’. As it folds, Joe Bromley ooks at what went wrong for the fashion-set favourite
Met warns Grenfell fire probe may not be complete until 2025
ATOTAL of 58 people and 19 companies have been identified as suspects who could face charges over the Grenfell fire disaster, the Met said today as it vowed to continue the fight to obtain justice for the victims' families.
“The most wonderful human being’
Airline apologises as tributes paid to Briton who died as flight hit turbulence