National Gallery Announces Major Expansion with New Wing on Trafalgar Square
London, UK – The National Gallery today announced ambitious plans to construct a new wing on its Trafalgar Square site, fueled by an unprecedented £375 million in philanthropic pledges. the expansion will revitalize the area between Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square,creating a more vibrant visitor experiance and allowing for a greater display of the gallery’s renowned collection.
The funding includes what are being described as “the two largest ever publicly reported single cash donations to a museum or gallery globally,” with £150 million each coming from Crankstart, the charitable foundation of Sir Michael Moritz and Harriet Heyman, and the Julia Rausing Trust. Sir Hans Rausing, founder trustee of the Julia Rausing Trust, stated, “My beloved wife Julia was a passionate supporter of the National gallery and its role in making grate art accessible to all… This gift is given in her memory, so that others may discover the same beauty and inspiration in art that meant so much to her.”
An additional £75 million is being contributed by the National Gallery trust, led by Chairman John booth, alongside further anonymous donations.
Founded by Parliament in 1824, the National Gallery houses the UK’s national collection of Western European paintings from the late 13th to the early 20th century, offering free entry to the public. The collection boasts masterpieces by artists including Cezanne,Degas,Da Vinci,Monet,Raphael,rembrandt,Renoir,rubens,Titian,Turner,Van Dyck,Van Gogh and Velázquez.
The new wing will be designed following an international architectural competition. The project also signals a strengthened collaboration with institutions like Tate and museums internationally, supporting the gallery’s aim to extend its historic collection.
“We want to be the place where the UK public and visitors from across the globe can enjoy the finest painting collection in the world from medieval times to our own, in a superb architectural setting,” said National Gallery Director Sir Gabriele Finaldi. “We are hugely excited by these developments and immensely grateful to our donors for their support – on an unprecedented scale – as the National Gallery steps into its third century.”
