In its 200 years the National Gallery has mirrored Britain
When Old Masters meet TikTok
SOMETIMES A LITTLE geopolitical rivalry can produce a big pay-off. France opened the Louvre in 1793. The Netherlands followed with what is now known as the Rijksmuseum, then Spain with the Prado. Britain had flirted with the idea of a national collection of art since the 1770s but did not make a move until 1824.
This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “Playing to the gallery”
Culture May 11th 2024
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