National Gallery Private Tour

Duration: Half day tour

Availability: Daily​

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Key Attractions of the National Gallery:​

• ​13th to 15th Century: These late medieval paintings were on the whole produced to be seen in church or private altars so are mainly religious depictions. As time went on more paintings were produced showing history and mythological scenes. Oil painting was developed during this period. Artists featured from this period are van Eyck, Botticelli and Bellini.

• 16th Century: Artists from this era gained a popularity that has certainly not faded over time with Renaissance painters particularly at the forefront. Portraits increased in popularity along with portrayals of ancient history and mythology. Artists featured from this period are Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian.

• 17th Century: Religious depictions of this time were given a twist depending on the artist. Paintings of history were still as popular as before. Dutch paintings grew in popularity and these illustrated scenery, images of everyday life and still life pictures. Artists featured from this period are Rembrandt, Rubens and Van Dyck.

• 18th to early 20th Century: Artists that produced the large paintings for grand churches also began to produce smaller paintings to be shown and sold for private collections. Artists began to rebel against the traditional styles that were ‘accepted’ within the art community. Artists featured from this period are Turner, Degas, Constable, Cézanne, Monet and Van Gogh.

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Highlights of a private tour of the National Gallery:​

• The Arnolfini Portrait by Van Eyck - one of the most ground breaking and complex paintings in the Western world, even 600 years later.

• Venus and Mars by Sandro Botticelli - what does this painting teach us about how love was seen in the Renaissance era?

• The Ambassadors by Hans Holbein the Younger - trickery and illusion means there is more to this painting than there may seem at first.

• Belshazzar's Feast by Rembrandt - A dramatic biblical Baroque masterpiece.

• Fighting Temeraire by JMW Turner - the story of the Battle of Trafalgar and naval prowess (fitting for a gallery on Trafalgar Square, right?)

• Sunflowers by Van Gogh - a world-famous masterpiece.

• Plus so much more. The National Gallery is filled with grand masterpieces as well as hidden gems, and with a wealth of stories waiting to be discovered.