Come May 10, 2025, visitors to London’s National Gallery will discover a completely reimagined collection as the institution launches “C C Land: The Wonder of Art,” the most significant redisplay of its treasures in recent memory. For Londoners who haven’t ventured into the Gallery lately, this transformative exhibition offers the perfect opportunity to rediscover one of the city’s cultural jewels.
Seven Centuries of Art in Three Dimensions
The comprehensive rehang will present over 1,000 artworks tracing the development of Western European painting from the 13th to the 20th centuries. Visitors will journey through galleries that have been thoughtfully reconfigured to create new dialogues between artists across time and traditions.
In a groundbreaking first for the National Gallery, Segna di Bonaventura’s Crucifix (c. 1310-15) will be suspended from the ceiling along the central spine of the Sainsbury Wing. This innovative display method allows contemporary viewers to experience the artwork as 14th-century audiences would have, creating an immersive historical connection that transcends the traditional gallery experience.
The Sainsbury Wing Reborn
After more than two years of extensive renovation, the Sainsbury Wing will once again house the Gallery’s medieval and Renaissance collection. The wing’s architecture, designed to evoke a Renaissance basilica, creates the perfect setting for masterpieces including The Wilton Diptych (c. 1395-99) and Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Virgin of the Rocks.
A dedicated chapel-like space showcases the works of Piero della Francesca, while the architectural features throughout the wing enable paintings to be displayed in a manner reminiscent of their original settings, offering visitors a more authentic encounter with these centuries-old treasures.
Artist-Dedicated Spaces and Thematic Explorations
The rehang introduces rooms dedicated to individual artistic giants including Titian, Rembrandt, and Monet, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in each master’s unique vision and technique. These focused spaces provide deeper insights into the artists’ development and influence.
Thematic galleries explore subjects like still life as practiced across different periods and cultures, while others highlight specific artistic materials such as pastel and gold. Room 42 will present an unprecedented assembly of pastel works from the Gallery’s collection, from 18th-century portraits to Edgar Degas’s newly acquired Ballet Dancers (1888), alongside Jean-Etienne Liotard’s Lavergne Family Breakfast (1754).
Conservation Revelations
Several significant works return to public view after extensive conservation efforts. Antonio and Piero del Pollaiuolo’s The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian (completed 1475) reappears after nearly three years of painstaking treatment and scientific examination. Cezanne’s Bathers (c. 1894-1905) will be displayed in a new frame following conservation work that uncovered French newspaper cuttings along the canvas edge from a previous restoration.
A particularly impressive achievement is the new frame created for the San Pier Maggiore Altarpiece (1370-1) by Jacopo di Cione and workshop, featuring gold leaf burnished by volunteers from across the National Gallery’s staff—a testament to the collaborative spirit behind the institution.
Bicentenary Acquisitions and Special Loans
The exhibition incorporates eight new acquisitions from the Gallery’s Bicentenary year, enriching the national collection with works including Eva Gonzalès’s La Psyché (The Full-length Mirror) from around 1869-70, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema’s After the Audience (1879), and Nicolas Poussin’s Eucharist (c. 1637-40), described as one of the greatest paintings of the Last Supper.
A special highlight awaits visitors from June 2025, when Edouard Manet’s Corner of a Café-Concert (1878-80) and Au café (1878) will be reunited. Originally composed on a single canvas that Manet later cut in half, these companion pieces will be displayed together thanks to a loan from Switzerland’s Oskar Reinhart Collection, creating a once-in-a-generation viewing opportunity.
Reimagined Visitor Journey
While embracing innovation, the Gallery has thoughtfully preserved beloved traditions. Turner’s Dido Building Carthage (1815) and Sun Rising through Vapour (before 1807) will remain displayed alongside works by Claude, honoring J.M.W. Turner’s will that specified these paintings be shown alongside the artist he admired. This philosophy of respecting artistic lineage while discovering new connections has guided the entire redisplay project.
The Central Hall continues its tradition of celebrating ambitious large-scale portraiture from 1550-1900, showcasing the evolution of the form from Veronese to Lawrence and creating a dramatic focal point for visitors entering the Gallery.
Enhanced Audio Experience
Complementing the visual journey, a brand new audio guide powered by Smartify will offer visitors fresh perspectives on the collection. Beyond the Gallery’s curators and staff, the guide features commentary from notable figures including HRH Princess Eugenie, Stephen Fry, and Axel Scheffler, alongside experts in fashion, horticulture, and history.
Visitors can create personalized tours based on their interests or follow specially curated thematic routes, adding another dimension to their exploration of the collection.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Transformation
Christine Riding, Director of Collections and Research, describes the project as “a once in lifetime opportunity to redisplay one of the greatest art collections anywhere in the world.” The Gallery team has meticulously considered the journey from room to room, crafting an experience that reveals surprising connections between artists across time and place.
“We hope it will bring joy to visitors both new and old,” Riding adds, emphasizing the Gallery’s commitment to serving both first-time visitors and longtime patrons with equal consideration.
A New Reason to Visit
For Londoners who haven’t wandered through the National Gallery’s halls in recent years, “C C Land: The Wonder of Art” offers a compelling reason to return. Even the most familiar paintings will appear transformed in their new contexts, while works never previously displayed at the Gallery await discovery.
This ambitious rehang reinforces the National Gallery’s position as a living institution that continuously evolves while honoring its rich heritage. As the Gallery moves into its third century, this redisplay demonstrates its commitment to keeping art accessible, relevant, and inspiring for generations to come.
When the doors open on May 10, 2025, visitors will have the opportunity to experience one of London’s most treasured cultural institutions as if for the very first time.
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