The Picture Gallery was added to Buckingham House by the architect John Nash, as part of the rebuilding work undertaken for George IV as part of the transformation of the old Buckingham House. It provided a home for the display of George's fabulous display of Old Master paintings, formerly held at Carlton House. It still performs this role today, although there have been changes to the decorative scheme, and a new ceiling added.

The room is the venue for receptions hosted by The Queen and other members of the Royal Family, against a backdrop of works by Rembrandt, Titian, Van Dyck and Vermeer. The Picture Gallery was first opened to members of the public during the reign of Queen Victoria, and is usually enjoyed as part of the Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace.

The exhibition has been made possible by the removal of the paintings from the Picture Gallery, one of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace, to prepare for the next phase of the Reservicing Programme, a major ten-year project to ensure the Palace is fit for the future as an official residence of the Sovereign and a national asset for generations to come.

Find out more about the Buckingham Palace Reservicing Programme on the Royal Family’s website.