The gallery was founded when the British government brought the art collection from a Russian banker named John Angerstein. It was originally housed in temporary facilities for the first 14 years, but a more suitable building was secured in 1838, after Reverend William Carr, Sir George Beaumont and other notable individuals made donations for this building to become the new National Gallery. An important addition to the gallery was the Sainsbury Wing, which features glamorous decorations, dating back to or based on 19th century designs. Since then the building has been extended many times yet retains its impressive façade.

The earliest collection is quite small, but of outstanding quality. Renaissance paintings dominated the display over the next three decades, but it was not until Charles Lock Eastlake was given the post of director that the collection began to expand. Eastlake travelled throughout Europe buying new works in a wide variety of styles. Among the 200 paintings, he acquired were masterpieces like Piero della Francesca's 'Baptism of Christ'. By 1917, the gallery included contemporary art including some Impressionist paintings.

In 1941, a 'Picture of the Month' tradition was established, when Rembrandt's 'Portrait of Margaretha de Geer' was displayed publicly upon demand. This tradition ensured continual public support, which enabled the gallery to secure works like Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Virgin and Child' with St Anne and St John the Baptist and Raphael's 'Madonna of the Pinks'. Other highlights of the gallery are Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers', one of four paintings of the flower, which Van Gogh intended as decoration for his colleague Gaugin’s room at 'Yellow House' in Arles, France. Sandro Botticelli's 'Venus and Mars' is a brilliant example of Italian Renaissance art illustrating the two gods. The god of war sleeps naked, and the goddess of love watches over him, fully clothed. Botticelli provides a powerful commentary on the power of love over war in this masterpiece. Da Vinci's 'Virgin of the Rocks' is the foundation of the mythical meeting between John the Baptist and baby Jesus. The Virgin positioned at the centre with Jesus blesses John while sitting next to the angel, Uriel. There is a similar adaptation of this painting at the Louvre in Paris, which was also painted by da Vinci, but it differs in that the angel is pointing to John and several halos are missing. Luca Giordano’s 'The Allegory of Divine Wisdom' was included in the gallery’s collection in 1999. It depicts human intelligence as a young person kneeling after being released from ignorance. He is attended by Theology, Mathematics, who grants him wings and Philosophy, who offers him a mirror. The youth stares up at the figure of Wisdom who is seated on a throne.

Every year the National Gallery attracts around six million people of all different nationalities; it is the biggest art gallery, so you need to plan your visit in advance in order to see those pieces of most interest. Tours are available in English; other language tours must be booked in advance. In a drive to extend its audience, the gallery hosts a late night viewing session every Wednesday from 6pm until 9pm. Live music, art performance and talks take place to bring the art alive.