Private Tour of the National Gallery in London

Admire masterpieces like Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and Monet's Water Lilies with a dedicated guide

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· 2.00h · England, United Kingdom

Did you know Hans Holbein’s The Ambassadors hides a distorted skull that can only be seen from a specific angle? The National Gallery is home to some of the world’s most celebrated artworks, from Turner’s The Fighting Temeraire to Rembrandt's Belshazzar's Feast. Your dedicated guide will offer a personalized journey through centuries of art, and reveal the stories behind the brushstrokes. Skip the line and uncover the hidden symbolism and history of these timeless treasures.

Private Tour of the National Gallery in London

A guide explaining art in the National Gallery, London.

A crowded hall of the National Gallery, London.

A mother and son looking at Monet's Water Lilies in the National Gallery, London.

Van Gogh's Sunflowers in the National Gallery, London.

Van Gogh's The Chair in the National Gallery, London.

Vernet's Landscape at Sunset at the National Gallery, London.

The Experiment with a Bird and an Air Pump in the National Gallery, London.

Meet your guide at the National Gallery Portico Entrance
The National Gallery
Monet's Water Lilies
Van Gogh's Farms near Auvers

Van Eyck's The Arnolfini Portrait
Da Vinci's The Virgin of the Rocks
End inside the National Gallery

Begin your journey at the Portico Entrance on Trafalgar Square, where your personal guide will introduce you to masterpieces like Holbein’s The Ambassadors, renowned for its hidden symbolism. Explore highlights such as Van Gogh’s Farms near Auvers, Leonardo’s The Virgin of the Rocks, and Monet’s serene Water Lilies.

As you move through the gallery, your guide will share tailored insights into each piece, from Caravaggio’s dramatic Supper at Emmaus to Turner’s evocative The Fighting Temeraire. Conclude your experience inside the National Gallery to continue exploring on your own.

Private National Gallery Tour Description

Your 2-hour private tour includes:

Private tour with an art historian guide
Skip-the-line entry to the National Gallery
Curated exploration of top masterpieces
Van Gogh's Sunflowers (4th version)
Caravaggio's Supper at Emmaus
Tailored storytelling and historical insights

Early Renaissance Masterpieces

Your journey begins with Holbein’s The Ambassadors, a masterpiece renowned for its hidden symbolism. Your guide will point out the anamorphic skull, a striking detail only visible from a specific angle, and explain its deeper meaning within the painting’s context. Then, marvel at Van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait, where meticulous details like the convex mirror and intricate fabrics reveal layers of storytelling about Renaissance life and art.

The Romantic and Impressionist Movements

Explore Turner’s The Fighting Temeraire, an emotional tribute to the Industrial Revolution, showcasing the final voyage of a grand ship set against a glowing sunset. From there, immerse yourself in Van Gogh’s Farms near Auvers, a bold celebration of color and emotion. Learn how Van Gogh’s personal struggles and artistic innovations influenced this timeless masterpiece. Conclude with Monet’s Water Lilies, where luminous brushstrokes transport you to the tranquility of his garden in Giverny.

Religious and Historical Art

Admire Leonardo da Vinci’s The Virgin of the Rocks, a masterpiece of intricate composition and lifelike detail. Your guide will delve into the painting’s mysterious history and Da Vinci’s groundbreaking techniques. Next, experience the emotional intensity of Paul Delaroche’s The Execution of Lady Jane Grey, which captures the tragic moment before her decapitation with haunting realism and deep historical resonance.

Dramatic Realism and Symbolism

End with Caravaggio’s Supper at Emmaus, where dramatic chiaroscuro and lifelike figures create a captivating scene of revelation. Your guide will unpack how Caravaggio’s revolutionary use of light transformed art forever. Wrap up with Titian's Bacchus and Ariadne, a dramatic portrayal of Ariadne’s rescue by Bacchus, rich with color and movement.

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What you get with this tour

Private English-speaking guide
Skip the line National Gallery tickets
Monet's Water Lilies
Caravaggio's Supper at Emmaus
Van Gogh's Two Crabs
Private tour
Hotel pick up
Meals
Guide gratuity

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Private National Gallery in London

06 February 2025

Reviewed by
Rebecca Lentz

I thought I knew the National Gallery, but Mark brought it to life in a whole new way. He explained The Arnolfini Portrait and Sunflowers like we were uncovering secrets. Two hours flew by, and I left appreciating art so much more!

I'll never ever forget this tour!

28 January 2025

Reviewed by
Abigail Turner

Our guide was so kind and made the experience really enjoyable. Seeing masterpieces like Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and da Vinci’s The Virgin of the Rocks up close was incredible and a lifelong dream of my father. Having a private guide gave us plenty of time take it all in without feeling rushed. I’d absolutely recommend this tour to anyone visiting London!