HP Helps National Gallery's On-Street Art Show

Thirty full size recreations of National Gallery paintings are to be hung on walls in the most unexpected and unusual of places in London, thanks to digital print provided by HP.

For 12 weeks, the company said that the streets of London will be turned in to a Gallery as masterpieces from Caravaggio to Constable will be vying for position amongst the bustling streets from Soho to Seven Dials.

Celebrating the richness, diversity and stories of the National Gallery's permanent collection, the Grand Tour aims to encourage people to make the short journey to visit the genuine works and many more for free, added HP.

The Grand Tour has been made possible as a result of the collaboration between the National Gallery and HP and the concept was devised and has been implemented by brand and design consultancy, The Partners.

Through creative imaging and printing, HP said it has reproduced the paintings so they exactly mirror the format of the originals.

Steve Gill, vice president and managing director of HP UK and Ireland, said: "This a really exciting initiative for HP to be involved in and has provided us with an opportunity to demonstrate some of our leading edge technology.

Our imaging, printing capabilities and portfolio has enabled us to support the National Gallery with this Grand Tour concept, by producing high quality colour reproductions of these wonderful 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.

The plaques will also include a phone number, which people can call to access a specially recorded audio guide to that particular painting and its artist.

A map of the Grand Tour (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 a website - http://www.thegrandtour.org.uk.

National Gallery director, Charles Saumarez Smith, said: "I am very delighted that the National Gallery's long-standing association with Hewlett-Packard is continuing with a characteristically imaginative effort to bring art in to the local community and to encourage new audiences to be aware of the great works of art to be seen in London." 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 a few months, or even a number of years.

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