Update on security at the National Gallery
Following recent incidents within the Gallery it is now necessary to introduce increased security measures to ensure the safety of all who visit, National Gallery staff and the nation’s collection of paintings.
Free access to the National Gallery allows everyone to be inspired by humanity’s greatest achievements. The collection we hold is irreplaceable and with each attack we have been forced to consider putting more barriers between the people and their artworks to preserve these fragile objects for future generations.
Unfortunately, we have now reached a point where we have been forced to act to protect our visitors, staff and collection.
From 10am on Friday 18 October 2024, no liquids can be brought into the National Gallery, except for baby formula, expressed milk and prescription medicines.
Since July 2022, the National Gallery alone has been the victim of five separate attacks on iconic paintings such as Vincent van Gogh's 'Sunflowers', John Constable's 'The Hay Wain' and Velázquez’s 'Rokeby Venus'. Such attacks have caused physical damage to the artworks, distress to visitors and staff alike, and disruption to our mission to ensure great art is available for everyone, everywhere to enjoy.
Two of these attacks have happened in the last two weeks, and that is why we have taken the difficult and unfortunate decision to change the way we operate for the foreseeable future.
We urge all visitors to bring minimal items with them including no large bags. All doors into the Gallery have walk-through metal detectors where we inspect bags and rucksacks.
Full details of our Visitor Admissions Policy can be found here.
We anticipate it will take longer to access the Gallery than usual and we apologise for this inconvenience.
We are sorry that visitors are, for the time being, not going to receive the welcome we would very much like to extend to them, but we hope they understand why it is necessary for us to do this.
Notes to editors
The National Gallery is one of the greatest art galleries in the world. Founded by Parliament in 1824, the Gallery houses the nation’s collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the late 13th to the early 20th century. The collection includes works by Artemisia Gentileschi, Bellini, Cezanne, Degas, Leonardo, Monet, Raphael, Rembrandt, Renoir, Rubens, Titian, Turner, Van Dyck, Van Gogh and Velázquez. The Gallery’s key objectives are to care for and enhance the collection and provide the best possible access to visitors. Admission free.
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National Gallery Press Office on 020 7747 2865 or email National Gallery Press Office press.external@nationalgallery.org.uk