Museum gallery damaged in 1940 reopens
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A GALLERY at the Natural History Museum, badly damaged by a bomb in the Second World War, reopened yesterday after a pounds 1.4m restoration.
Original terracotta wall carvings of dogs, wolves and bears by the architect Alfred Waterhouse have re-emerged after being hidden for decades. The Jerwood Gallery, named after the Jerwood Foundation, which contributed a pounds 900,000 grant for the work, will exhibit one of the world's finest collections of natural history paintings, drawings and prints. There will also be a five-year programme of contemporary exhibitions, theatre, dance and installation art, intended to illustrate the close connection between natural history and art.
Dr Neil Chalmers, director of the museum in South Kensington, west London, said: "As well as being a platform for contemporary art-led exhibitions, the new Jerwood Gallery enables the museum to display its historical art collection. The museum holds over half a million natural history drawings and paintings, the third largest collection of art on paper in the United Kingdom."
Dr Chalmers said the gallery, built in 1881, would concentrate on providing adult attractions. "A lot of the museum is attracting a family audience. We already have some areas catering very much for adults - the Earth Galleries, for example - but we want to ensure that adults do not feel that they need children as an excuse to come here," he said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments