A royal patron for the National Gallery
February 16 2016

Picture: NG
The National Gallery in London has announced that the Prince of Wales is to become its first 'Royal Patron'. This is splendid news all round, and merely the latest reflection of the Prince's dedication to the arts. Perhaps the only surprise is that the NG hasn't had such an official connection with the Royal Family before. If I was a member of the firm, I'd have been itching to be involved.
The Prince (above with new director Gabriele Finaldi and NG Chair Hannah Rothschild) was previously a trustee of the Gallery from 1986-1993. I'm told he was an enthusiastic user of the dream perk afforded to all trustees - the Freedom of the Gallery. This means you can go around whenever you like, day or night; even on Christmas day.

Categories
- Research
- Exhibitions
- Passion on Paper at Christ Church Picture Gallery
- From Paris to Provence: French Painting at the Barnes
- Upcoming: Dangerously Modern Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890–1940
- 'Definitive' Turner and Constable Exhibition at Tate in November 2025
- Masterpieces from Kenwood at Gainsborough's House
- More ...
- Auctions
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- Conservation
- Heroes of art history
- 15th Century & Earlier
- 16th Century
- Hans Baldung acquired by Alte Pinakothek
- Possible Habsburg Princess Acquired by Museum Hof van Busleyden
- The National Gallery acquires mysterious 16th-century altarpiece for £16.4m
- Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis visit Holbeins at Frick Collection
- National Trust conserve Upton House Tintoretto
- More ...
- 17th Century
- 18th Century
- Masterpieces from Kenwood at Gainsborough's House
- £20m+ Canaletto coming up at Christie's London
- Henry Singleton's 'The Surrender of the two sons of Tipu Sultan' coming up at Bonhams
- Free Lecture: Places of the Mind, Portraits of the Soul: Drawings by Jonathan Richardson and John Constable
- Wright of Derby Self Portrait coming up at Sloane Street Auctions
- More ...
- 19th Century
- 20th Century
- Upcoming: Dangerously Modern Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890–1940
- Er... what are those doing there? (ctd)
- New York Court tells Art Institute of Chicago to Surrender Schiele
- Dutch Town Hall Bins Warhol Print
- Bührle Foundation reaches confidential settlement with heirs of Jewish Collector over Manet
- More ...
- 21st Century