National Art Gallery

One of the oldest art galleries in India is the National Art Gallery, which is located in Egmore, Chennai. It is situated in the Government Museum Complex, which also houses the Connemara Public Library and the Government Museum, on Pantheon Road in Egmore. Built in 1906 in Indo-Saracenic style, the Gallery features sandalwood sculptures and paintings from Thanjavur, Rajasthan, Kangra, and the Deccan. The red stones used in its construction came from Satyavedu in Andhra Pradesh. Since 2002, the Gallery has not been open due to damage to some parts of the building.

Designed by architect Henry Irwin, the National Art Gallery was constructed in the Indo-Saracenic style to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. The CMDA has designated the Gallery as a Heritage site. Due to many structural instability issues and architectural problems, the gallery has been closed to visitors since 2002. This decision was met with harsh condemnation from art critics.

The collection features rare Raja Ravi Varma pieces as well as a number of paintings by Mugul.[10] A variety of Tanjore paintings are also present.[11] There are also portraits of several British officers, including Lord Connemara and Lord William Bentinck.[12] There were also a lot of small paintings in the art museum that showed scenes from battles and courts.