National Gallery

National Gallery, the most important public collection of pictures in Great Britain, containing numerous and valuable examples both of the old masters of various schools and of many eminent modern painters. The first purchase was made in 1824, when £57,000 was expended; and the number of pictures is constantly increased through the liberal grant made annually by Parliament as well as the munificence of private individuals; at present they amount to over 1,280. The building in Trafalgar Square, London, in which the collection is now housed, was completed in 1838, and has been several times enlarged.