The word “gallery” originates from the Old French word “galerie”, meaning “a long, narrow room”. Another theory suggests it comes from the Latin word “galeria”, meaning “a roofed colonnade”.
Initially, galleries were used to exhibit private art collections of royal or aristocratic patrons. Later on, public galleries emerged, often originating from donations of private collectors. For example, the British National Gallery resulted from the 1824 donation of paintings previously owned by collector John Julius Angerstein.
Unlike museums in continental Europe, the National Gallery was not formed by nationalizing a pre-existing royal collection. Entry to its collection has been free of charge since its inception. As a charity and non-departmental public body, the National Gallery’s purpose is providing public access to art.