Everyone in London has had a memorable day at a museum, but an unforgettable night’s sleep? Those are harder to come by. In fact, in the case of the National Gallery, it has never been the case.
Next month, however, that’s all changing, with the London gallery inviting one member of the public to spend a night at the space ahead of the opening of the refurbished Sainsbury Wing. The person selected in a prize draw will make history as the first ever to sleep among the paintings at the museum, and will be surrounded by paintings that will be etched in the art textbooks forever, with the bed situated in an area that has traditionally housed Renaissance works.
To enter the draw, hopeful National Gallery snoozers should be subscribed to the museum’s newsletter, and you have the opportunity to enter until April 28 at 6pm. After this, one person will be selected at random, with the night itself taking place on May 9 ahead of the new wing’s official opening the following morning.
On the evening of the grand sleep, the winner will be invited to a dinner for a two at the National Galery’s not-yet-opened restaurant Locatelli, before being led by Christine Riding, National Galery director of collections and research, on a private tour around the exhibition that follows the Sainsbury Wing’s refurbishment, titled CC Land: The Wonder Of Art. The luxury bed for the winner to sleep in will be placed on the ‘bridge’ between the Sainsbury Wing at the rest of the gallery.
And it’s not just about the kip, as the lucky person will be treated to a breakfast hamper after waking up, before being invited to look around the exhibition’s official opening at 10am on May 10. It all comes as part of the space’s 200-year celebrations, and also marks its most extensive rehang of the painting in some time.
Speaking on the news, Sir Gabriele Finaldi, the director of the National Gallery, said: “Our bicentenary provides the perfect opportunity to consider a new way to tell the story of the incredible paintings in our collection, and include some exciting surprises.
“So we feel it is fitting that through this prize draw one of our visitors should receive a first look at the newly transformed National Gallery and Sainsbury Wing and have these wonderful pictures to themselves for one special night.”
One person will be invited to doze among the paintings at the National Gallery next month on May 9. To enter, you must be subscribed to the National Gallery newsletter, with the draw open until April 28 at 6pm. Entrants must be over 18. Find out more and sign up here.
