The National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin is the country’s top art museum.
It boasts a vast collection of both European and Irish art. Founded in 1854, it’s located near Merrion Square and offers free entry to visitors.
I just paid a visit and was pretty impressed with what was on offer. If you’re an art lover it’s definitely worth a couple hours of your time.
Mini History & Overview
The National Gallery started with almost nothing. But over time it grew into a treasure trove of art.
The gallery opened in 1864 with just 112 paintings and no established collection.
However, an annual purchase grant and a generous donation from the Dowager Countess of Milltown led to the addition of a new wing.
Hugh Lane, an influential art dealer and collector, also contributed, leaving behind many paintings and part of his estate.
George Bernard Shaw, grateful for his visits to the gallery as a child, left a third of his royalties to the museum.
In 1978, it received major paintings from Chester Beatty, which he gifted to the nation.
The collection includes over 16,000 pieces, ranging from the 14th to the 20th century, with works by renowned artists such as Caravaggio, Vermeer, Goya, Picasso, and Monet.
You’ll find a goodly collection of Renaissance and 17th century artworks.
Pieces from the early eighteenth to the middle of the nineteenth century include paintings by Thomas Lawrence, Eugène Delacroix, and Jean-Simeon Chardin.
Its Irish art collection is particularly impressive, featuring iconic works from artists like Jack B. Yeats, William Orpen, and Paul Henry.
In addition to its permanent collections, the National Gallery also hosts temporary exhibitions, guided tours, and educational programs. When I was there, it had an exhibition of Woman Impressionists, which was excellent
The building itself is a beautiful blend of old and new. A recent modern extension provided a fresh, airy space for exhibitions and events.
Guide To The National Gallery Of Ireland
Here are some of the masterpieces you can’t miss!
Caravaggio, The Taking of Christ
The museum’s star attraction is a rare painting by Caravaggio, the Baroque master.
He painted The Taking of Christ at the height of his career in Rome. It shows his signature use of dramatic light and shadow, expressive figures, and intense emotion.
In the scene, Judas betrays Christ with a kiss as temple guards close in, illuminated only by moonlight.
On the right, the man holding the chandelier is thought to be a self-portrait of Caravaggio himself.
Vermeer, Woman Writing a Letter
The next highlight is Vermeer’s Mistress and Maid, a rare opportunity to see one of only 37 Vermeers in the world.
Vermeer is a master of Western art, known for capturing intimate domestic scenes. His delicate use of light and atmosphere transforms everyday moments into something magical.
This painting is one of six he created on the theme of letter writing.
The figures, like many of his subjects, come from privileged background. This is typically shown by their elegant clothing — here, a jeweled brooch adds a touch of luxury.
Diego Velázquez, Kitchen Maid with the Supper at Emmaus
Diego Velázquez, a 17th century Spanish painter, is celebrated for his brilliant portraits. He started his career in Seville before becoming the court painter for King Philip IV in Madrid.
Velázquez was a master of light and shadow, using it to create a sense of mystery and depth in his scenes.
This painting is believed to be his earliest known work.
It depicts a Moorish maid pausing as she hears something through the window—the resurrected Christ and his apostles.
Goya, Doña Antonia Zárate
Francisco Goya was a famous painter and served as a court artist for the Spanish crown.
He was known for his portraits, which captured both the likeness and personality of his subjects.
In this painting, Goya shows Antonia, a famous Spanish actress. She has a slightly sad expression and wears a black lace mantilla. The dark lace stands out against the gold sofa.
At the time, Goya had already lost his hearing. He became isolated from society.
During this period, he painted the haunting the Black Paintings that are now in the Prado Museum.
Rubens, Saint Peter Finding The Tribute Money
Rubens was an influential 17th century Flemish Baroque painter. He’s renowned for his masterful use of color, dramatic compositions, and his ability to convey emotion and movement in his artworks.
Rubens was a painter to various European courts. He produced magnificent cycles of allegorical paintings like this one.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Peter is asked in Capernaum if his teacher, Jesus, paid the temple tax. Jesus tells Peter to go to the lake, catch a fish, and look inside its mouth.
There, he would find the exact money needed to pay the tax. This scene, unusual in 17th century European art, may have been commissioned by a fishermen’s guild.
Rubens & Breughel the Young, Christ in the House of Martha
Christ in the House of Martha and Mary is a unique collaboration between two of the greatest artists of the 17th century, Peter Paul Rubens and Jan Brueghel the Elder.
The painting was created around 1628. Each artist brought his own strengths to the work.
Known for his mastery of the human figure, Rubens painted the central characters—Christ, Martha, and Mary. His figures are expressive, with the dynamic poses and emotional depth that Rubens is famous for.
Brueghel contributed the rich, detailed setting of the scene — the still lives and landscapes.
Mantegna, Judith with the Head of Holofernes
Andrea Mantegna was a Renaissance master, known for his bold use of perspective and inventive compositions.
He often drew inspiration from classical mythology, bringing ancient stories to life with his distinct style.
In this painting, Mantegna captures the dramatic Old Testament story of Judith and Holofernes. Judith, a brave woman, beheads the Assyrian warlord who threatened her town in Israel.
Mantegna used shades of gray, yellow, and purple to create the scene. This technique, called grisaille, makes the painting look as if it’s carved from marble.
Perugino, Lamentation over the Dead Christ
Perugino was a renowned Italian Renaissance painter, best known for his clear compositions and delicate use of color. He even has a painting in the Sistine Chapel!
The Lamentation was painted at the height of his career.
It’s a quiet picture of the aftermath of the crucifixion. The Virgin cradles his body, while his head rests on Saint John the Evangelist.
This is a scene of great piety, intended to induce deep reflection in the mind of the religious spectator. The artist crated another version of Lamentation that’s in the Uffizi Gallery.
Gainsborough, The Cottage Girl
Thomas Gainsborough was an 18th century English painter renowned for his elegant portraits and landscapes.
Although he made his living painting portraits of aristocrats, Gainsborough much preferred painting landscapes. It wasn’t until the 1780s that he could focus on art purely for his own enjoyment.
The Cottage Girl shows a poor young girl standing in a rural landscape, holding a dog and a broken pitcher.
It’s one of several that capture the lives of rural children during that time.
Degas, Two Ballet Dancers in a Dressing Room
Edgar Degas was fascinated by the ballet world in Paris. Starting in the 1870s, he began capturing dancers during performances and studio rehearsals.
In this exquisite pastel, Degas shows ballerinas resting in their dressing room before going on stage.
Degas masterfully captures the texture of their tulle skirts, tied with large blue sashes, and the artificial light hitting the dancer with her back to the viewer. As usual, he gives the painting a slightly raised perspective and cropped composition to add a sense of immediacy.
It’s believed that Irish novelist Edward Martyn bought this pastel from Degas’s dealer, Paul Durand-Ruel, during a visit to Paris in 1886. Martyn later donated it to the National Gallery of Ireland in 1924.
Osborne, Mary Guinness and her Daughter Margaret
Walter Frederick Osborne was an Irish painter celebrated for his vibrant landscapes and intimate scenes of everyday life.
His work, from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often depicted rural Ireland, cityscapes, and portraits.
Osborne had a gift for capturing the warmth and humanity of his subjects with a touch of Impressionism. This painting, created at the height of his career as a portrait artist, is considered one of his finest pieces.
Mary is shown in an informal pose, with her beautiful silk dress highlighted.
Picasso, Still Life with Mandolin
Picasso was one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. Known for his constant innovation, he revolutionized the art world.
Picasso spent the summer of 1924 in Juan-les-Pins, a village on the Côte d’Azur. During his stay, he painted a series of large Cubist still-lifes, and this picture is the second in that series.
It’s a night scene with a fruit dish, wine bottle, and mandolin resting on a table in the foreground. These objects are brightly lit, as if by artificial light.
In the background, foliage stands out against deep patches of black and blue. The wave-like scrolls on the table’s edge add a playful touch, perhaps nodding to the coastal setting.
Cezanne, La Vie des Champs
Paul Cézanne was a pioneering French painter, often considered the father of modern art.
His bold use of color and innovative approach to form laid the groundwork for Cubism and profoundly influenced generations of artists.
The National Gallery acquired La Vie in 2023. It was the first Cezanne painting in the collection.
Cézanne painted the scene in his native Provence in Southern France. The painting shows a lively, imaginary landscape with a woman at its center, carrying a water jug on her head.
Practical Guide & Tips For The National Gallery of Ireland
Address: Merrion Square West, Dublin 2. There are two entrances: one is located on Merrion Square West and another is located on Clare Street.
Hours:
- Monday: 11:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Tuesday to Saturday: 9:15 am – 5:30 pm
- Sunday: 11:00 am – 5:30 pm
Tickets:
The museum’s permanent collection is perfectly free to visit. There is a charge for the temporary exhibition.
The museum also offers free tours. Check on their website to see what’s on.
Pro Tips:
There’s a shop, a cozy cafe, and a convenient cloakroom where you can check your coat or backpack.
The National Gallery is located right next to the National Museum of Ireland, which has an incredible archaeology collection. It’s easy to visit both in one day — if you’re not feeling museum fatigue after the first!
I found the National Gallery to be far less crowded than the archaeology museum, likely because it’s just more spacious and airy.
In 2023, the gallery welcomed over 1 million visitors.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to the National Gallery of Ireland. You may find these other Ireland guides useful:
- Dublin bucket list
- 2 days in Dublin itinerary
- 3 days in Dublin itinerary
- beautiful places to visit in Ireland
- what not to do in Ireland
- guide to Trinity College & Book of Kells
- guide to St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- guide to the Guinness Storehouse
- guide to the Rock of Cashel
- guide to Blarney Castle
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