Dated: 05/06/2008

York is transformed into an outdoor gallery

Press Release

Dame Judi Dench supports the Grand Tour in York

YORK, UK, 5 June 2008 – The National Gallery and Hewlett-Packard (HP) in collaboration with York Art Gallery unveil the Grand Tour in York today.

Full life size recreations of paintings from the National Gallery and York Art Gallery will transform the streets of York into a gallery for the next 17 weeks. A total of 49 works – 45 from the National Gallery and four from York – will be hung around the city in the most unexpected and unusual places.

Masterpieces from Monet to Van Gogh, Ramsay to Carracci will be lighting up the bustling streets of York's historic city centre, celebrating the richness and diversity of the permanent collections housed at the National Gallery and York Art Gallery. The Grand Tour in York aims to encourage people to visit the genuine works, and many more, for free.

Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench is delighted her home town of York is becoming an outdoor gallery over the summer months. She said: "Being from York myself, I cannot think of a more deserving city to receive this magical gift. The Grand Tour in York is a truly brilliant initiative that reproduces extraordinary works of art and makes them readily available to the local community to enjoy at their own leisure."

One particular recreation of an iconic National Gallery painting will bring some colourful history to the streets of York, as the original is on display just minutes away at York Art Gallery. The world famous Whistlejacket by George Stubbs was painted in 1762, three years after the horse enjoyed his most famous victory at York Racecourse. York played a vital role in Stubbs's life as the city in which he lived and found motivation early on in his career.

The Grand Tour in York has been made possible as a result of the collaboration between the National Gallery, HP and York Art Gallery.

The paintings have been reproduced to such perfection through innovative imaging and printing solutions from HP. Steve Gill, Vice President and managing director, HP UK & Ireland said: "It’s fantastic to be involved in such a creative project. Our imaging and printing capabilities have enabled us to support the National Gallery and York Art Gallery with the Grand Tour in York, by producing and showcasing high quality colour reproductions of these priceless masterpieces."

Each picture will be in a replica frame, and have an information plaque next to it – just as it has in the real Gallery.

A map of the entire Grand Tour in York including a selection of 'mini-tours' along with further information about the paintings, the story of how the project came about, audio downloads and a picture gallery are all available on www.thegrandtourinyork.org.uk

National Gallery Director Nicholas Penny commented: "I am delighted that the long-standing alliance between the National Gallery and HP has expanded to include York Art Gallery and I am sure people in York will be just as thrilled as those in London to find great masterpieces in unexpected places around the City of York."

Janet Barnes, CEO of the York Museums Trust, added: "Everybody at York Art Gallery has seized this great opportunity to bring the Grand Tour to York and work in collaboration with the National Gallery and HP. The Grand Tour in York will add to the history, culture and heritage that the city already has to offer and we look forward to welcoming people from all over the world to enjoy showcases of our very own local treasures, including A scene from 'A scene from The Careless Husband' by Philip Mercier and Jean Abercromby, Mrs Morison of Haddo by Allan Ramsay."

Notes to Editors:

About The Grand Tour

The Grand Tour was unveiled in London in June 2007 by The National Gallery and HP. For twelve weeks, the streets of London were turned into a Gallery – as 44 full size recreations of National Gallery paintings were hung on the walls from Soho to Seven dials. The Grand Tour has since won several awards, including the MediaGuardian award for Innovation and the D&AD Award.

The origins of the Grand Tour date back to the 17th Century, when the wealthy upper classes undertook a journey of cultural enlightenment across Europe, in a life-changing trip that could last for months or even years.

About The National Gallery

The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square was founded in 1824 and houses a collection of over 2,300 Western European paintings from 1250 to 1900. Open 7 days a week, the collection belongs to the British public and entry to the permanent collection is free. More information at www.nationalgallery.org.uk

About York Museums Trust

York Museums Trust is an independent charitable trust which manages York Castle Museum, Yorkshire Museum and Gardens, York Art Gallery and York St Mary's. The buildings and their contents are owned by the City of York Council, which has agreed to long-term funding of the Trust. More information at www.yorkmuseumstrust.org.uk

About VisitYork

Visityork.org is the official website for York tourism, detailing the City’s history and world-class attractions. York has won several awards, including European Chosen City of the Year and The Daily Telegraph's Best UK City. More information at www.visityork.org

About Yorkshire Forward

Yorkshire Forward was set up by Government to promote sustainable economic development throughout the Yorkshire and Humber region. One of England's nine Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), it is a business led organisation that aims to help improve the region's relative economic performance and reduce social and economic disparities. More information at www.yorkshire-forward.com/www/index.asp

About HP

HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers – from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world's largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $110.4 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended April 30, 2008. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at www.hp.com

© 2008 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

6/2008

Editorial contacts:

Natalia Yanez Exner, National Gallery, +44 207 747 2596

natalia.yanezexner@ng-london.org.uk

Sally Clift,  Porter Novelli for HP, +44 207 853 2310

aimee.anderson@porternovelli.co.uk

Lee Clark, York Art Gallery  +44 1904 687673

Lee.Clark@ymt.org.uk