Eastlake was described by one contemporary as 'the Alpha and Omega' of the Victorian art world.
His legacy at the National Gallery goes beyond his acquisition record.
The way he cared for and displayed the collection was innovative and inspired by the practice of many German museums.
He had some of his new acquisitions restored by specialists in Italy, encouraged the use of historically appropriate frames and advised the use of glass to protect works of art from pollution.
He also did much to improve the research and labelling of the collection.
His catalogues foreshadowed the later National Gallery Schools Catalogues, which present the results of new research to a wide public.
His desire to arrange pictures in historical sequence, not just by themes or perceived greatness, still influences the arrangement of pictures in the permanent galleries today.
The professional standards he introduced were groundbreaking and set an example which has been followed ever since.
Download a timeline of his main achievements below.
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| Turner, Margate from the Sea © The National Gallery, London | Turner, Margate from the Sea © The National Gallery, London |