The National Gallery has launched a series of ground-breaking digital initiatives that will transform how people experience its world-renowned collection, as part of celebrations marking its 200th anniversary.
Announced today, the innovations include a virtual exploration platform, an extensive release of scholarly research, and an expanded augmented reality experience, all designed to make the Gallery’s treasures more accessible to audiences both in Britain and worldwide.
Virtual Art World Opens to Global Audience
The “National Gallery Imaginarium” — a new digital platform that allows users to virtually step inside paintings — leads the digital transformation. The experience enables visitors to explore the worlds of masterpieces in unprecedented detail, regardless of their physical location.
John Stack, Director of Digital Innovation and Technology at the National Gallery, explained: “We know that slow looking has great benefits for deeper insights, emotional connections, and mindfulness and wellbeing. So, it makes perfect sense to us to use new technologies to bring that experience to visitors that can’t spend all the time they would like to with our paintings in person.”
The Imaginarium features contributions from Booker Prize-winning author Sir Ben Okri and sound artist Nick Ryan, creating a multi-sensory experience that goes beyond traditional art viewing.
Technology commentator James Wilson told this newspaper: “What’s significant here is how the Gallery is using technology not just as a gimmick, but to genuinely deepen engagement with art. This could transform how cultural institutions reach audiences who might never visit in person.”
Two Million Words of Academic Knowledge Released
In an unprecedented move, the Gallery has also made freely available its complete catalogue entries for 200 paintings, totalling 2.2 million words of academic research that was previously only accessible through specialist publications or by request.
The “200 Paintings for 200 Years” initiative includes 2,700 images and technical photographs such as x-rays and infrared images that reveal the secrets beneath the paint surface. For the first time, information about historic frames, some dating back to the 13th century, has also been made public.
Among the revelations is new research on Raphael’s Portrait of Pope Julius II (1511), one of the original 38 paintings that formed the Gallery when it was established in 1824. Digital reconstructions now show what the painting’s original background would have looked like, providing new insights into one of the Renaissance master’s most significant works.
Christine Riding, Director of Collections and Research, said: “This project is a significant milestone in making freely accessible the wealth of information that we hold.”
Enhanced Experiences for Young Visitors
Families visiting the Gallery will benefit from an expanded version of “The Keeper of Paintings,” an augmented reality game now integrated throughout the new Roden Centre for Creative Learning.
Co-created with children, this fourth iteration of the popular game creates an “extended universe” that bridges physical and digital experiences, encouraging younger visitors to engage with art in new ways.
Mother of two Sarah Thompson, 37, from Fulham, who tested the experience with her children, commented: “My kids were completely absorbed in the game. They spent nearly three hours exploring the Gallery, which is unprecedented. They were learning about art history without even realizing it.”
Future Developments
Looking ahead, the Gallery announced that its renovated Sainsbury Wing entrance, reopening on 10 May 2025, will feature high-resolution digital screens showcasing paintings and expert knowledge as visitors enter the building.
These initiatives are part of a five-year digital transformation strategy supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Gallery’s digital partner for its bicentenary celebrations.
The National Gallery, founded by Parliament in 1824, houses the nation’s collection of Western European paintings from the late 13th to early 20th centuries. Its collection includes works by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Turner, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh.
All digital initiatives are freely accessible, continuing the Gallery’s tradition of free admission established at its founding. The physical Gallery in Trafalgar Square remains open daily, with the new digital experiences complementing rather than replacing the in-person viewing of its masterpieces.
Arts Council England spokesperson Mark Reynolds praised the initiative: “This is exactly the kind of innovation we need to see from our cultural institutions—using technology to break down barriers and make art accessible to everyone, regardless of geography or background.”
