Works of art by the Great Masters don't just influence and inspire us, they also tell us a lot about the period they were painted in. Discover some of the amazing art we have on display - from George Stubbs's 18th century depictions of a kangaroo and a dingo, to J.M.W. Turner's famous depiction of the Battle of Trafalgar. 

Why are there three versions of the Armada Portrait?
Did you know there are three versions of the 'Armada Portrait' of Elizabeth I? Take a closer look at the different faces of a Queen...
09 Oct 2019
Moonlight in art
The Moon and its light have inspired illustrations, paintings, and woodblock printings. Discover this connective force in art through the artworks of Turner, Rubens, Yoshitoshi and many more.
04 Jun 2019
'The Sea Maidens': Evelyn de Morgan and the transfiguration of the feminine with the divine
The Sea Maidens is a medium-sized oil painting (818 x 1428 mm) by Evelyn De Morgan (1855-1919), completed in 1886. It is hung in the Queen's House, below a portrait of Queen Victoria (1842) by Franz Xaver Winterhalter, courtesy of the de Morgan Foundation.
26 Apr 2019
The Triumph of Britannia: naval victory and urban entertainment in mid-eighteenth-century London
How did naval victory and urban entertainment come together in this mid-eighteenth century painting?
John Everett and the art of 'dazzle' camouflage
Dazzle was a type of camouflage developed in response to the threat of German U-boat submarines
Artist profile: J.M.W. Turner
Our art collection holds a major work by artist J.M.W. Turner: The Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805 (1822-24). 
Artist profile: George Stubbs
Our collections feature several works by renowned 18th-century animal artist George Stubbs, most notably his groundbreaking paintings of a kangaroo and dingo
Artist profile: Eric Ravilious
Eric Ravilious was an English painter, designer, book illustrator and wood engraver. Our art collections include his famous ‘Submarine Series’.
William Hodges and Captain Cook
The artist William Hodges accompanied Captain Cook on his second voyage to the Pacific in 1772-74.
Alan Villiers
Alan Villiers was a distinguished sailor, author and photographer. His work vividly records the period of early 20th century maritime history.