Art & CultureThailand is home to a rich cultural heritage with distinct spiritual and art lineages. Gain insight into the ways of Thai culture passed down through the centuries in addition to its more modern variations through original Art & Culture articles.
Located by Phra Pinklao Bridge on the historic Rattanakosin Island, the National Gallery is housed in an impressive European-style building designed by Carlo Allegri, an Italian architect employed by the Royal court of King Chulalongkorn the Great (King Rama V).
During the reign of King Rama V (1853-1910), the great monarch ordered the construction of a Royal Mint near the temple of Wat Chanasongkram. Until that point, the plot had been used to host a residence for a foreign envoy since the days of King Rama I’s reign (1783-1824). The building continued to house the Royal Mint, known as Sitthikarn, until 1968. In 1974, it was officially handed over to the Department of Fine Art, and following an extensive renovation, it reopened as the National Gallery on August 8, 1977.
Inspired by the architecture of a factory building in the English city of Birmingham, Allegri’s design of the two-story main building features interesting diamond shaped tiles, which are typically described as ‘kite-shaped’ locally.
Registered as a National Ancient Monument in 1978, two single story wings are annexed to the main building, with the whole site featuring fine examples of design and décor. To assist readers interested in paying a visit to the gallery, we'll now examine some of its 'hot spots', which feature a large number of impressive artistic masterpieces.
Portraits of the prolific
Adorning the walls of the second room along the gallery’s first floor you'll find historic portraits of members of the Royal family created in a European style. The room’s olive green walls also feature pencil drawings of King Rama V and Queen Saovabha, which appear so real they possess an almost photographic quality. Japanese artist K. Oyama produced these works in 1901.
Two large galleries on the second floor feature traditional Thai paintings and contemporary Thai paintings featuring foreign influences. Most of the traditional Thai works are related to Buddhism or other aspects of religious belief. Typically presenting a complete story within a single panel, the works are two-dimensional, so are somewhat lacking in perspective.
Local artists gradually became influenced by the techniques used among Western artists after they were introduced to the kingdom during the reign of King Rama III (1824-1851). This influence really began to make its mark during the reign of King Rama IV (1851-1868) as Thai artists began to demonstrate a greater sense of perspective and dimension in their paintings.
A painting by Krua In Khong, a prominent artist during that era, highlights the usage of Western techniques in his uncompleted work ‘Vessandara Kataka’, which depicts a scene from one of the Buddha’s 10 previous lives. Although each character is depicted in traditional Thai style, a Western style hall and garden featured in the painting were produced with an accurate sense of perspective, demonstrating the newly emerging influence.
Several galleries connect to the first floor of the main building, featuring the works of local artists from various eras, including some impressive oil paintings by Chamras Khietkong, Sanit Ditthaphan and Banchob Palawong. While starting to fade slightly, these works manage to appear quite modern given their age.
Among the more interesting examples in
the second gallery here are two finely detailed oil paintings by
Angkhan Kanlayanapong called ‘Kinnaree’ and ‘Lily’. A large woodcut
painting called ‘Fighting for Food’ by Manit Poo-aree was awarded 1st
prize (Gold medal) at the 13th National Exhibition of Art held in 1962.
Another gallery located at the end of
the hall features traditional Thai drawings of angels and mystical
beasts by Sakaya Khunponpitak, Preecha Thaothong and Surasak
Charoenwong. Produced in pen or pencil, these drawings include examples
of fine detail, including impressive interpretations of facial
expressions or human shape and form.
Nature’s will
If you’re in search of something somewhat more modern, look out for a
gallery featuring some large mixed media installations by international
award-winning artist Vichai Sithiratn.=
‘The Conscious One’ comprises a series of large bells arranged in an
S-shape. Below the bells are a series of mirrors positioned on the
floor. Each reflects a white statue in a specific meditation position,
which are concealed inside each of the bells. This is said to represent
nature and the world’s continuous state of flux, and the suffering that
accompanies it.
As well as hosting its permanent exhibitions, the National Gallery
organizes one or two temporary exhibitions per month. The gallery also
provides its auditorium and lecture room for suitable art-related
seminars and workshops. On weekends, many artists and collectors meet
at an art market held under a covered area behind the main building,
where they buy and sell or exchange art and art-related materials, or
just enjoy a chat about the arts.
Treasure trove
Located at 4 Chao-fa Road in Phra Nakorn district, the National Gallery (Tel: +66 [0]2 281 2224 or +66 [0]2 282 2639-40 [extensions 14 and 17]) opens Wednesday through Sunday from 9 am-4 pm. It also closes on national holidays. Entrance is 30 baht for Thai nationals (non-Thais must pay 200 baht). Students wearing their uniform, monks and religious officials of all religions can enter for free.
Transport connections: Bus: Regular non air-conditioned bus numbers 2, 3, 30, 32, 33, 43, 80, 91, 123 and 169 all pass the National Gallery.
Art & Culture 
Art & Culture
Thailand is home to a rich cultural heritage with distinct spiritual and art lineages. Gain insight into the ways of Thai culture passed down through the centuries in addition to its more modern variations through original Art & Culture articles.
contact 
sitemap
advertise with us
