A guide to the Sainsbury Wing at the National Gallery

The opening of the Sainsbury Wing marks a dual achievement: a building of world-class quality and a new home for one of the finest holdings of Early Renaissance paintings. In both respects Robert Venturi's building represents a milestone in architecture. In his guide to the new Sainsbury Wing at the National Gallery, Michael Wilson describes the building, its elegant galleries, the great paintings they house, and the many other facilities, such as the temporary exhibition rooms, lecture theatre and computerized information room. He tells how the gift of the Sainsbury brothers made possible an entire new building for the Gallery, and how Robert Venturi was selected as architect. He describes how the new galleries were specifically designed for the Early Renaissance collection, and the care that has been taken to provide the best possible environment for the pictures in terms of climate and lighting. The collection is rich in outstanding works, and Michael Wilson here tells the story of how many were acquired and how it has been decided to present them in the new galleries - taking the reader on a tour of the rooms. This illustrated souvenir provides a fitting momento of a remarkable building and the treasures it contains.