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 Art: world-famous artwork The National Gallery The National Gallery which dominates the north side of Trafalgar Square, holds many of the finest paintings and drawings in the world. The permanent collection includes Leonardo da Vinci's The Virgin Of The Rocks, Monet's The Water-Lily Pond, and Van Gogh's Sunflowers. Possibly the most English painting of all time, Constable's The Hay Wain, is here. There is also a room entirely dedicated to the works of Rembrandt. There are around 2,200 paintings in the collection, with 1,000 permanently on display in the main galleries. Address: Trafalgar Square, WC2. Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 2885. Tube: Charing Cross National Portrait Gallery Next door to the National Gallery is the National Portrait Gallery, which is home to the biggest collection of portraits in the world. Over 310,000 portraits of figures in drawings, paintings and photographs are held by the gallery, including some of the most famous in the world – in terms of sitter, artist, and portrait itself. In some cases – for example Jane Austen – the pictures in the collection are the only likenesses, painted or otherwise, in existence. The Gallery often holds photographic exhibitions that attract major international interest. While the Gallery is free, there is often a charge to view these. In 2000, the new Ondaatje Wing was opened, which now holds the Gallery's earliest works. Address: St Martin's Place, WC2. Tel: +44 (0)20 7312 2463. Tube: Leicester Square Tate Britain Tate Britain is – unlike the National Gallery – exclusively dedicated to British art, dating from 1500 to the present day. It was founded by Henry Tate – the man who invented the sugar cube. On display are works by almost every British artist of note, from William Blake and John Constable to living artists such as David Hockney and Damien Hirst. There is a special place at the heart of the gallery for the works of Joseph Turner – possibly Britain's most celebrated painter, and the man who gave his name to the yearly art prize given at the Tate Britain's sister gallery, the Tate Modern. Address: Millbank, SW1. Tel: +44 (0)20 7887 8000. Tube: Pimlico Tate Modern The Tate Modern opened in 2000 having been converted into a gallery from a disused Bankside power station. It is Britain's national museum of modern art. It includes works by the very greatest modern artists, including Picasso, Dali and Matisse. In the run-up to the Turner Prize, given in the autumn, all the contenders are put on display here. Address: Bankside, SE1. Tel: +44 (0)20 7887 8008. Tube: Southwark Victoria and Albert Museum The Victoria and Albert Museum – usually known as the V&A – is the very definition of the phrase "art history." Within the seven-mile array of corridors are housed beautiful examples of decorative art objects from almost every period in Europe since the Romans. And regions elsewhere around the world also have prime examples of some of their foremost crafts, from the Shang bronzes in the Chinese section to the life-size wooden tiger eating a soldier in the Indian Art room. But the biggest draw is usually whatever temporary exhibition the V&A has at the time. Although there is a charge for viewing this, it is usually worth it – these well-thought-out, cleverly-presented displays are invariably among the best in the world. Address: Cromwell Road, SW7. Tel: +44 (0) 207 942 2000. Tube: South Kensington. Related links:  The National Gallery
National Portrait Gallery
Tate Britain
Tate Modern
Victoria and Albert Museum
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