Der Leistungskurs Englisch (SH) unternahm eine sehr gelungene und kurzweilige, weitgehend selbst organisierte sechstägige Studienfahrt nach London (02.07. - 07.07.09). In Begleitung von Frau Schöller-Haspel und Frau Küttner-Neuhaus wohnten wir in einem international belegten Hostel nahe King's Cross. Bei großer Hitze erkundeten wir die riesige und sehr umtriebige Metropole an der Themse zu Fuß und mit öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln, immer auf der Suche nach den unterschiedlichsten Facetten von "national and cultural identity" (Thema des 2.Semesters, vgl. Programm)
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Shortly before the end of last school year, with everyone desperately in need of holidays,
the English advanced course consisting of about twenty students accompanied by Frau
Schöller-Haspel and Frau Küttner-Neuhaus, went to London to gain deeper insights into the
British way of life.
For me and my fellow students it was fun and a welcome change to our daily school routine.
We had the possibility of exploring an entire city in only 6 days. Hence, we had a full agenda
to work off. For sure this sounds stressful and straining for some people but we had enough
leisure time to be on our own and to have our own experiences, be it eating interesting Indian
food, shopping or free cocktails at a bachelor´s party.
The second day was planned to be a strictly cultural one. Amongst other things, we had decided in class to go to a lunchtime concert which took place in St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Afterwards, I had to give a short presentation about one of London´s most famous sights. I had prepared an introduction to the National Gallery because it houses a wide range of splendid paintings by renowned artists such as works of Johannes Vermeer , Titian , Paul Cezanne , Claude Monet, Thomas Gainsbourough, Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt, Vincent van Gogh, Jan van Eyck , Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio and Raphael.
Therefore, we assembled at the very center of Trafalgar Square where we had an extraordinary view of the National Gallery. At the same time, there were preparations for the gay parade in full swing so I was forced to speak up to be comprehensible.
As I mentioned before the National Gallery is one of the most famous galleries and houses a very rich collection of over 2300 paintings dating from the mid 13th century to 1900 in its home on Trafalgar Square. The Gallery is a non-departmental public body and the collection belongs to the public of the United Kingdom, thus the entry to the main exhibition is free of charge to encourage the widest possible access to the pictures. That fact was to our benefit because London is, although the pound is still decreasing as a consequence of the depression, an expensive place. The founder's motive was that all people even if they were poor, should have the possibility of seeing and admiring the most beautiful works of art. Soon, the gallery became the most frequented sight of London.
The first paintings came from the banker John Julius Angerstein and were mainly early Italian works as well as fine examples of Dutch, Flemish and English Schools.
In 1823 the art collector and landscape painter Sir George Beaument promised his collection to the Nation under the condition that suitable accommodation could be provided for display and conservation.
From time to time artists, patrons and other wealthy people bequeathed their own collections such as the well-known painter Joseph Mallord William Turner( famous for watercolour). Gradually, the gallery won international appreciation.
At first, the collection was exhibited in Angerstein´s manor but only a couple of years later there was not enough space for a still growing treasury of European art. Due to that fact, the parliament agreed to construct a new and larger building at Trafalgar Square, because this place was considered to be at the very center of London. In 1985 Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover and his brothers generously agreed to finance the construction of a new wing, called Sainsbury wing, which displays the entire Renaissance collection.
I am of the opinion that the National Gallery is a unique place and even the architecture is fantastic. Regrettably, the time inside was far too short. Considering the NG's enormous dimension, one could easily spend the whole day without being bored. Unfortunately, it was forbidden to take any photos within the exhibition rooms. Still: I would recommend visiting it to everybody who takes the least interest in arts, it is an absolute must!
Kyra Gospodar