Art for the Nation

For those of you interested in the history of the National Gallery in London, here is Art for the Nation: Sir Charles Eastlake at the National Gallery, which runs in Room 1 until 30 October, admission free (title link). Sir Charles was the first director of the Gallery and an astute collector of paintings. In his annual travels across Europe he acquired more than 150 masterpieces. He also improved the way the different galleries were organized and extended the Gallery to today's familiar shape. Above is John Prescott Knight's portrait of Sir Charles Lock Eastlake. CLICK for a slide show by Paul Kerney with a voiceover by curator Susanna Avery-Quash.