The National Gallery will today begin celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of playwright George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950).
Shaw donated one third of his posthumous royalties to the gallery when he died, making him the institution's most generous financial benefactor.
Celebrations will commence at 2pm with a presentation from actor and director Alan Stanford, followed afternoon tea, and music performed by the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
The Shaw Fund proved to be a major source of income for the gallery over the years, especially after the global success of the musical My Fair Lady. It helped bring about new additions to the gallery from artists such as Giovanni di Paolo, to impressionists Paul Signac and Camille Pissarro.
A number of events will be held in memory of Shaw between now and the end of the year, including The Shaw exhibition, a display in honour of his relationship with the gallery. This will include a statue of him sculpted by Prince Paul Troubetskoy. Shaw had described the Russian as 'the most astonishing sculptor of modern times'.
The Shaw exhibition in Room six will be opened by curator Adrian Le Harivel later this afternoon.
The exhibition will continue to the end of December and admission is free.
