The Sainsbury Wing and Beyond: The National Gallery Today
Author(s)
Barker, Emma; Thomas, Anabel
Abstract
The aim is to explore the various ways in which the National Gallery currently seeks to fulfill its historical commitments or, to put it another way, how an art museum established in the early nineteenth century has adapted to the very different world of today. We will examine some of the more recent additions to the collection and assess the extent to which it can now be said to present a revised view of the canon of Old Master painting. Considered as well will be the steps that have been taken in order to facilitate the public access to the collection and to promote enjoyment and understanding of works of art. At issue is the question of authenticity; underlying the aim of making great art available to everyone is the assumption that the gallery functions to allow people to see “the real thing.” Recent modifications testify to a recognition that the visitor’s experience will inevitably be colored by the method of display and the architectural setting.
