The National Gallery, founded in 1824, houses the UK's national collection of European paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries. Its origins lie in the purchase of John Julius Angerstein's collection, a set of 36 masterpieces that included works by Rembrandt, Rubens, and Hogarth. The collection aimed to offer the British public access to art comparable to that found in other major European cities. Housed in a William Wilkins-designed building in Trafalgar Square since 1838, the gallery's mission extended beyond art appreciation; founders hoped exposure to great art would improve society and boost British trade. Today, the National Gallery continues to provide free access to iconic works, from Van Eyck to Van Gogh.