Historic painting loaned to Parliament to celebrate 200 years of the National Gallery
The National Gallery and the Houses of Parliament are marking the bicentenary of the Gallery’s establishment by Parliament in 1824 – with one of the Gallery’s founding artworks going on display in the Palace of Westminster.
To celebrate the 200-year-old connection between the Gallery and Parliament, Claude Lorrain’s Seaport with the Embarkation of St Ursula (1641), will go on display in St Stephen’s Hall from 25 November – 15 December 2024.
The near 400-year-old painting is one of the original 38 paintings purchased from the collector John Julius Angerstein at the time, to form what would become the nucleus of the National Gallery.
Members of the public booking onto Parliamentary tours will be able to view the temporary installation as they make their way through St Stephen’s Hall.
Additionally, members of the public will also have the opportunity to attend a one-off evening event on 6 December which will feature a series of talks covering the loan, a drawing workshop, and an introduction to the wider Parliamentary Art Collection. The talks will be delivered by a curator from the National Gallery and Parliament’s Heritage Collections team.
The loan to Parliament is part of The National Gallery’s year-long festival of its 200th birthday – NG200 – which has featured numerous events and programmes, including an art road trip across the UK and the creation of a brand-new virtual gallery. The aim behind NG200 has been to celebrate two centuries of bringing people and paintings together.
Melissa Hamnett, Director of Heritage Collections and Chief Curator for Parliament said: “We are honoured to be welcoming this historic and culturally significant painting to Parliament to mark what is now our 200-year-old relationship with the National Gallery.
“Central to the vision behind the National Gallery was to inspire the general public through art, which is why we’re ensuring that Claude’s masterpiece is available for all Parliamentary visitors to see as they make their way through St Stephen’s Hall. I want to thank the team at the National Gallery for making this exciting moment possible.”
Dr Gabriele Finaldi, Director of the National Gallery, added: “The National Gallery has its origin in the decision by Parliament to acquire a collection for the use and enjoyment of the public. In our Bicentenary we want to recognise and celebrate the essential role that Parliament played in establishing a gallery of great paintings for all.”
To book tickets for the evening event at Parliament on 6 December, please visit the Parliament website: https://www.parliament.uk/visiting/visiting-and-tours/art-in-parliament/