Why you should visit one of London’s fine, free galleries by Flora McCourt at Surbiton high

As of recently I’ve gained a new found appreciation for art galleries and the simple serenity that comes with strolling around them and luckily living just a quick train journey away from Waterloo this is all within my reach with London’s National gallery. 

In my case a friend and I started our trip catching the Waterloo line to south bank where we delved into the second hand books and food vans prior to our exhibition. We then crossed Waterloo bridge and made our way to Trafalgar Square which was bustling with tourists before entering the primitive National gallery. 

The gallery is home to more than 2,300 paintings and was made through parliaments agreement in 1831. The gallery allows free tickets for entry which are easy to book online so if you’re exploring London on a budget it’s a great option and for some of the striking bygone pieces on offer you’ll be questioning the free access. 

I attended the Poussin and the dance exhibition, a collection of paintings immersing us in the chaotic enthralling world of the gods and mortals. I can’t say I am in a place to anatomise the depth and meaning of the paintings having little knowledge in art myself and enjoying just to silently observe. However I designated a personal favourite of mine. It was a painting not actually done by Poussin but Giovanni Batista Naldini called the “Lamentation of the Dead Christ”. The paintings disarray was almost overwhelming but in a spectacular, enchanting way. Much of the exhibitions work had an extreme detail to it with a dexterous play of light and colour showing extreme skill and talent. 

I left the exhibition feeling the most tranquil I had in a long time and I really think there’s something we can all gain from visiting a gallery and being silently present simply taking in the art, something in our bustling day to day lives we often lack. So if your ever feeling caught up in life’s constant challenges and need some time to recharge maybe an aimless stroll around a gallery is what you need.