Dulwich Picture Gallery, London

Dulwich Picture Gallery was founded in 1811. It was England’s first purpose-built public art gallery, designed by the period’s greatest architect, Sir John Soane. Its founders, Noel Desenfans, Francis Bourgeois and Margaret Desenfans, lie to this day in the beautiful Mausoleum at the heart of the Gallery. The collection makes this remarkable and picturesque place one of the glories of Europe – Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto, Poussin, Gainsborough, Hogarth, Reni, Guercino, Raphael, Tiepolo, amongst many other famous names, are all represented by masterpieces here. Ian Dejardin, the Gallery’s Director, has chosen, out of this extraordinary parade of riches, a selection of the paintings that speak to him personally. They include masterpieces famous the world over, a few less well-known gems, and some surprises.