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This
neoclassical building contains a marvelous collection of paintings
covering every great Art Movement for 7 centuries (all but the 20th
century). In 1824 George IV persuaded a reluctant government to buy
38 major paintings, including works by Raphael and Rembrandt, and these
became the start of a national collection which has grown tremendously due
to wealthy benefactors contributing works and money. The main
gallery building was designed in Neoclassical style by William Wilkins and
built in 1834-8. To the right of the main entrance is a replica of the
famous standing marble statue of George Washington by Jean Antoine
Houdon. The original statue is in the Virginia State
Capitol.
Outstanding are works of Rembrandt (two self-portraits), a
Rubens gallery, da Vinci’s Virgin of the Rocks, and works by
Titian, Bellini, van Eyck, Botticelli, Michelangelo, El Greco, Velasquez,
Vermeer, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, and Monet.
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