The National Gallery

London, England, United Kingdom

---

The National Gallery is a famous art museum in London. It is located in Trafalgar Square, right in the center of the city. The building is grand and easily recognized by its pale grey stone, domed roof, and large Classical style entrance, which makes it look a bit like an Ancient Greek temple. 

The National Gallery was opened in 1824. It started with just 38 paintings, which were bought by the British government from a private collector. Soon after, people donated more paintings, and the collection began to grow. In 1838, the Gallery moved to its current home in Trafalgar Square, a place chosen so that people from all parts of the city could visit easily.

Inside, the National Gallery has over 2,300 paintings. These works come from Western Europe and cover a period from the 1200s to about 1900. Some of the most famous artists in the world have paintings here, including Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Vermeer, Van Gogh, and Monet. The paintings are organized by time periods and art styles, making it easy for visitors to see how art has changed over the centuries.

Visitors to the Gallery can see masterpieces from the Italian Renaissance, the Dutch Golden Age, French Impressionism, and more. Entry to the main collection is free, making it an accessible place for everyone to enjoy beautiful works of art.

The Gallery is also important for its role in British culture and public life. It aims to make art available for everyone, not just people who study it or collect it. Many people, both from London and tourists from around the world, visit the National Gallery every year to learn about art and see some of the most important paintings ever made.