A first look at 'The Red Boy' | Behind the scenes in Conservation | National Gallery

Paul Ackroyd, restorer, is cleaning 'The Red Boy', an iconic painting by Sir Thomas Lawrence. It was so popular it was the first-ever painting to feature on a British postage stamp.
The National Gallery has entered into a commitment to purchase 'Portrait of Charles William Lambton' (1818-31) by Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769 - 1830).
The purchase of this painting is made possible by the American Friends of the National Gallery, a bequest from the estate of Miss Gillian Cleaver, and generous support from Art Fund, The Al Thani Collection Foundation, The Manny and Brigitta Davidson Charitable Foundation, and other donors.
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The National Gallery houses the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries. The museum is free of charge and open 361 days per year, daily between 10.00 am - 6.00 pm and on Fridays between 10.00 am - 9.00 pm.
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[@HopskotchBunny]

The beauty of this painting nearly took my breath away. I have never seen it before. The work of this painter combined with the features of this child are stunning. I am absolutely fascinated by the process of these restoration projects and could watch these videos all day. ❤️

[@WalkawayyyRenee]

This painting has special meaning to me, being the first real work of art I ever “appreciated”, knowing it from a print that my Grandmother had hanging at the bottom of the stairs in her house. I recall sitting on that landing and wondering if that boy was cold. It appeared to me at my preschooler age that he was sitting on a sofa made of stone. I loved his eyes and the far away look in them. Grandma always called him Master Lambton. One day I will get a copy of The Red Boy for my own.

[@nationalgallery]

That's so lovely to hear, Renée. We hope you'll be able to visit the painting in the Gallery one day too!

[@susanhepburn6040]

I especially enjoy watching these videos about restoration and conservation. Thank you all for the wonderful work you do 'behind the scenes' and for sharing these videos which give us an insight into your work, which is very much appreciated.

[@hamidachan7392]

Lovely portrait.💜♥️

[@nelsonx5326]

Lovely painting.

[@sacredkinetics.lns.8352]

Magnificent portrait.
Excited to see it after the cleaning.
Thanks for sharing.

[@pjsilavweart]

What a beautiful painting

[@matthew-jy5jp]

It's amazing all the work that goes into preserving these beautiful paintings. People think because someone has art that you don't have to do anything to it to keep it looking good. They talk about the Vatican and all their odd but they never mention that the Vatican has to actually pay to take care of it just like the National Gallery

[@rembvanrijn]

Fascinating to learn this painting is being cleaned. Rather like Lawrence’s layers of medium, the layers of sentimentality that have accrued since its creation have obscured much of how the painting might have looked when first completed. Something of a thunderbolt to learn the dominant reds were initially yellow!! A colour mock-up showing the initial yellow would be really interesting, and perhaps help us to see the picture afresh?

[@merryhunt9153]

Poor little guy. It's time to stop a moment and be grateful that few of our children die so young.

[@mariangelacanzi1441]

This video is very impressive. It is fascinating to see how wonderfully the painting will be cleaned and restored. Thanks to the National Gallery for sharing these gripping videos! I hope I will be able to come back to London soon and admire all the magnificent paintings there!

[@zoltantoth8014]

Very nice portrait 👌 😊

[@carolinaherrera559]

Amazing painting! 👌🏻♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@Stellaluna88]

It’s nice not having to hear about Squarespace in a restoration video.

[@gerryholden]

Thank you. The videos are always interesting and informative, and much appreciated.

[@_wesleyhome_]

Very interesting! Looking forward to seeing the progress!

[@judymanning2538]

Thank you 🍀

[@marnoch4632]

Fascinating! Thank you 😊

[@nehakhanom2293]

a very beautiful painting! its very lovely to see in the gallery, i always look for it.

[@janbruin4662]

A look at internet made it clear that since 1921 lots of paintings were reproduced on stamps, some of famous artist like Goya, Rubens and Frans Hals. Paintings on stamps is even a popular collectionairs item.

[@henrycastle1]

Thank you

[@a.kaiser8965]

bravo

[@Divertedflight]

I wonder if the mastic varnish in the red portion is megilp painting medium?

[@elizabethhurtado2829]

❤

[@nationalgallery]

❤

[@womanofwazo]

I have a very old replica of this painting, is it worth anything?

[@dr.debbiewilliams]

I have never been to The National Museum.

[@madArt1981]

Why don’t these videos ever show the backside. Serious connoisseurs obtain a great deal from seeing the backside of paintings