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On Sunday 26 September the new spaces in the East Wing of the National Gallery will open to the public.
For the first time, visitors will be able to enter the Main Gallery from two new entrances at ground level, the Sir Paul Getty Entrance from Trafalgar Square and another from St Martin's Place. For people enjoying the hugely successful pedestrianised Trafalgar Square, the Gallery will be more open and welcoming.
Spacious new public rooms have been created from what were once small, private areas. These include a double-height, naturally- lit atrium named the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Court, an uplifting public space created from a little-used internal courtyard, which includes an impressive staircase highlighted by a black marble wall.
The staircase leads up to the newly-refurbished Central Hall, which has been re-instated to its original purpose as a major picture gallery. For many visitors this will be the first gallery that they will see; it displays some of the collection's most famous paintings, including magnificent works by Titian and his contemporaries.
There is an improved information area, an expanded and refurbished café and a new shop designed to cater for visitors entering the Gallery from Trafalgar Square.
A newly developed information system using large plasma screens and innovative software will also be used, and this, combined with a redesigned, illustrated floorplan that highlights 30 key paintings, will help visitors navigate the collection.
The new entrances and facilities will enable the Gallery to welcome a wider range and increasing number of visitors who can all enjoy one of the greatest collections of European painting in the world.
Second phase of the East Wing plan to begin on 18 October 2004
With the successful completion of the first phase of the development, the Gallery will begin the second phase on 18 October 2004. This includes opening up the present Portico Entrance Hall by removing the structural masonry that divides the space into three cramped compartments and the removal of the cloakrooms. New cloakrooms and lavatories are planned directly below, accessed by a short flight of stairs.
The Staircase Hall between the Portico Entrance and the Central Hall will be restored. The white marble casings to the staircase will be removed to reveal the original pink stone as will the white over-painting on the ceiling to expose the original polychromatic decorative scheme by J.D. Crace. Air-conditioning and improved lighting will be installed.
An impressive new Lower Hall on the Gallery's ground floor will provide an area for seating, multimedia, refreshments and access to the existing Lower Floor galleries.
Whilst this work takes place, the Portico Entrance will be temporarily closed from the 18 October and access to the Main Gallery Building will be via the new Sir Paul Getty Entrance and the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Court.
For further press information and images on the above please contact Jane Morris or Razeetha Ram in the National Gallery Press Office on Tel: 020 7747 2519
For images please contact Lara Raymond on Tel: 0207 747 2596 or lara.raymond@ng-london.org.uk
Back to 2004 Press Releases
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