National Gallery Rehang

Fantastic rehang of the National Gallery Collection.

I roughly followed the chronological narrative which had been created around the gallery although, when I went on members day, a few rooms weren't open yet so I had to pop back on the Monday to get the whole picture. I am so happy they have kept that approach and particularly liked the rooms devoted to one artist where they have a lot of works by one person.

I also liked the few themed rooms almost not noticing the wide period they cover as the narrative links the works seamlessly and each work seems to grow from the previous one.

I was pleased I'd been to the introductory lecture on the rehang so I looked out for some of the nuisances like the lovely wall of small outdoor sketches and the wonderful dark blue colour of the High Renaissance rooms.

Being a big art geek I also appreciated the opportunity had been taken to reframe a number of works such as Antonello da Messina's "St Jerome in his Study" where the plainer frame makes the architecture pop.

I was struck by how happy people looked now that the collection can breath again. I had some interesting conversations with people who were obvious regulars and with some of the gallery attendants.

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