London’s National Gallery is set to invest in a major renovation of its most popular galleries after the institution was announced as the joint winner of the Wohl Arts Competition, together with the Royal Academy. The competition celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Wohl family’s philanthropy.

The National Gallery plans to use its share of the £5 million grant to overhaul its 19th Century and Impressionist spaces. The galleries will be fitted with new glazed roof panels to improve the lighting of the artworks below. In addition, changes to the roof structure are set to enhance the museum’s thermal efficiency in order to improve the museums’ sustainability.

The modernization of the museum’s facilities will not only improve the presentation of the art, and visitor experience, it’s also been designed to ensure ideal conditions for the safeguarding and protection of the National Gallery’s collection of priceless artworks, which includes pieces by Monet, Renoir, Seurat, Degas, Cézanne and van Gogh.

The Director of the National Gallery, Dr. Nicholas Penny said, “The National Gallery greatly valued the generous support of Maurice and Vivienne Wohl during their lifetimes, and the affection in which they held the Gallery.” In recognition of the foundation’s support he revealed that “We will be honored to name these rooms The Wohl Galleries to commemorate Maurice and Vivienne Wohl and their outstanding contribution to the National Gallery.”

Prof. David Latchman, who is Maurice Wohl’s nephew and Chairman of the Charitable Foundation added, “These grants not only reflect Maurice and Vivienne’s commitment to the communities of arts … They also illustrate how creativity and discovery in the arts and sciences must be sustained and nourished.”