Take One Picture: Primary School Children Inspired by Veronese

Room E, 9 May–16 September 2012

How can a single painting ignite the imagination and curiosity of young people?

Each year a painting from the National Gallery's collection is chosen to enrich the education of children aged three to 11 across the UK. The intention is that the pictures will continue to inspire the children throughout their lives. Hundreds of school communities take part and submit their work for display.

Veronese's painting shows the family of King Darius of Persia kneeling before Alexander the Great just after his victory at the Battle of Issus in 333BC. Following Darius's exile, his family have come to ask mercy from Alexander and his invading army from the west. Veronese was one of the leading painters in Venice at the time, renowned for his decorative colour and brilliant illusionistic effects.

The work featured here captures a range of the children's creative responses.

Take One Picture is generously supported by The Dorset Foundation and by the Tavolozza Foundation.

The schools represented in the 2012 display are:

• All Saints Primary School, London
• Ashton-under-Hill First School, Worcestershire
• Bishop's Tachbrook Church of England Primary School, Warwickshire
• Bude Park Primary School, Hull
• Caversham Park Primary School, Berkshire
• Downhills Primary School, London
• Drayton Park Primary School, London
• Dr Thomlinson Church of England Middle School, Northumberland
• Friars Primary School, Essex
• Gainsborough Parish Church Primary School, Lincolnshire
• Horninghsham Primary School, Wiltshire
• Kew Green Preparatory School, London
• King Edward's Junior School, Bath
• Nocton Community Primary School, Lincolnshire
• St Andrew's Church of England Primary School, Bath
• The New School, Devon
• Wychwood Church of England Primary School, Oxfordshire