National Gallery summer party puts the fun in funding

With Art Basel week in full swing and all the art world glitterati quaffing champagne and chomping on bratwurst in Switzerland, the National Gallery in London was a little pushed for A-list talent at its Summer Party in June. But it did manage to muster some art world stalwarts, like Grayson Perry and Bella Freud—daughter of Lucian—as well as the Love Island host Maya Jama. The theme for the lavish do was “country house” (that’s a big mansion with a lot of pictures). There was a serious point to the frivolity, though. Next year the gallery celebrates its 200th anniversary and as part of its £95m NG200 programme it will overhaul its Trafalgar Square site and organise a range of initiatives and events. According to a statement: “The gallery is delighted to have already secured pledges and commitments approaching £83m, with the Summer Party playing a vital role in the ongoing campaign to raise the rest of the funds.” The luxury fashion giant Burberry was the lead sponsor of the bash but other notable supporters include the Al Thani Collection Foundation, set up by the ruling family of Qatar—we’re sure they’ve got a few pennies to spare.