The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, London, has announced a unique opportunity for the public as it prepares to celebrate the reopening of its Sainsbury Wing following a two-year refurbishment. For the first time, the gallery will allow a member of the public to sleep overnight near its invaluable paintings on May 9.

This initiative is part of the preparations for the gallery's 200th anniversary and follows a prize draw designed to select the lucky participant. The Sainsbury Wing will be showcasing its earliest collection of paintings at this reopening, which includes notable works such as Piero della Francesca’s "Baptism of Christ," Jacopo di Cione’s 14th-century "The San Pier Maggiore Altarpiece," and Paolo Uccello’s freshly restored "The Battle of San Romano."

The selected individual will sleep on a specially prepared bed in the corridor linking the Sainsbury Wing to the rest of the gallery, offering a rare chance to experience the art in a tranquil nighttime setting. Complementing the overnight stay, the winner will receive dinner for two at Locatelli, a restaurant being opened in the gallery by Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Locatelli. Following the meal, the participant will have a private tour of the exhibition "CC Land: The Wonder of Art," which features a curated display of the gallery’s artworks spanning from the 13th to the 20th centuries, including masterpieces by Claude Monet, Titian, Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, Rembrandt van Rijn, and Thomas Gainsborough, all showcased in dedicated rooms.

Upon waking on May 10, the winner will be treated to a breakfast hamper and will have the opportunity to explore the gallery before the Sainsbury Wing officially reopens to the public at 10 am.

Current subscribers to the gallery’s newsletter will automatically be entered into the draw, while others can visit the gallery’s website to register for a chance to win. The competition closes at 6 pm on April 28, after which the overnight sleeper will be randomly selected.

Notably, this is not the first time the National Gallery has opened its doors at night. During the "Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers" exhibition in January, the gallery provided slots for visitors to enjoy the museum from 9 pm until 10 am.

Source: Noah Wire Services