The family who lived in the National Gallery for 16 years | National Gallery

If the National Gallery walls could talk, what stories do you think they would tell? One story you might not expect is that a family lived inside the building for 16 years. This was the family of Ralph Nicholson Wornum who worked as the Keeper at the National Gallery. Alongside his wife and children, they settled into family life in living quarters below the galleries. But what was it like living in the National Gallery?
A life full of exciting stories, paintings, meeting artists, living abroad, two marriages, 14 children, diaries, the Turner Bequest, Queen Victoria, and living at the National Gallery.
In the video, curator Susanna Avery-Quash, researcher Nick Smith, and Head of Learning and Programmes Karen Eslea discuss the life of Ralph Wornum, who served as the Keeper of the National Gallery between 1855-1877. He passed away while in this position.
🖌️ Find out more about Ralph Wornum: www.nationalga...
#NationalGallery #ArtHistory #RalphWornum #History
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The National Gallery houses the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries. The museum is free of charge and open 361 days per year, daily between 10am - 6pm and on Fridays between 10am - 9pm.
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[@debbieb-c]

So fascinating! I loved how you presented not just the information but showed us the actual documents ! Loved it!

[@nationalgallery]

Any excuse to highlight some of the treasures in our archive! Thank you for watching, Debbie.

[@GustavoJacob]

More of these, please.

[@lynnblack6493]

That really was an interesting history of a National Gallery early employee. A live-in position. How exciting.

[@asztapaszta9]

Fascinating story, i had to watch twice, back to back, to get all the details! Thank you for sharing!

[@nationalgallery]

Thank you for watching!

[@mojosbigsticks]

How wonderful to grow up in a gallery.

[@nationalgallery]

It's just one of the amazing stories we have from our archive. Thank you for watching!

[@olivierbolton8683]

There is always a Great Humanity behind public service and institutions. Sharing ones labours apolitically for the common good is truly the highest calling.

[@isashax]

Wow, what a story! So well explained and so surprising as well.

[@nationalgallery]

Our archive has all kinds of fascinating stories from our history. Thank you for watching!

[@debbiecarter6430]

Fascinating. Thank you.

[@benwilson6145]

Thank you

[@nationalgallery]

Thank you for watching, Ben!

[@janetmackinnon3411]

Very interesting.. Thank you.

[@kidmohair8151]

i imagine they wouldn't have actually had the run of the building, but, think what an experience it would be to have the entire National Gallery as your front parlour growing up.

[@welshblush]

fantastic!

[@lauriepalmer3593]

What a wonderful and entertaining story story…. I cannot help but be so inspired and bubbling with a thought that I wish I could share with somebody in ability to do this….. but wouldn’t it be amazing if somebody took on this story with hope of captivating the next generation of Museum visitors and children and you could have a series of children’s books written from the perspective of one of the Warner children?…. What if they were a little artist exploring at night or maybe a private investigator solving mysteries of the museum?…. or there could be a series of stories based creeping through the museum at night through the perspective of the family Cat…..!!🐈🐈‍⬛💕

[@nationalgallery]

Hi Laurie, thank you for watching! Such a wonderful idea and, funnily enough, we have an app called The Keeper of Paintings where children can help our Keeper guard the treasures in the Gallery, alongside the Keeper's trusty cat sidekick, Claws Monet! You can find out more here: www.nationalgallery.org.uk/whats-on/keeper-of-paintings

[@mrsgingernoisette]

His watercolour really has that famous painting's vibe. The stonemason's house idk I forgot the name, he is totally an artist deserves to have his own name.

[@berritandersen288]

🙏

[@grokeffer6226]

👍👍👍

[@JJONNYREPP]

The family who lived in the National Gallery for 16 years | National Gallery 2044pm 8.10.24 i was drake..... scott was not my house. as for living at a gallery..... sounds good. when do i start?