The National Gallery: A History
Jonathan Conlin
Commissioned by the National Gallery in its bicentenary year, this is the story of how one of the world’s finest collections of paintings was formed by (and for) the people of Britain. Established in 1824 and situated in the centre of London with a commitment to free admission, it was conceived as a gallery to be enjoyed by all, while also serving as a place of refuge in times of war and crisis.
The National Gallery: A History tells the story of an institution that holds education, social cohesion, and national heritage at its core, and whose outstanding collection has shaped the art historical canon over two centuries. Special focus on fifteen highlight paintings affords an opportunity to explore changes in taste over the decades, as well as the reactions of visitors to the Gallery’s great works of art.
Book Details:
- Author: Jonathan Conlin
- Published Year: 2024
-
Rights Sold
- UK: The National Gallery Company
Jonathan Conlin
Jonathan Conlin is a historian of modern Britain with a particular interest in the history of museums and cultural institutions. Born in New York, he studied History and Modern Languages at Oxford, before moving to the Courtauld and then Cambridge for his doctorate. After a research fellowship at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge and a brief stint at the BBC he moved to the University of Southampton, where he is Professor of Modern History.
In 2024 Jonathan published histories of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and London's National Gallery, the latter commissioned to mark the instit...
More about Jonathan Conlin