Donation of Film 0_00004 to the National Gallery
Donation of Film 0_00004 to the National Gallery
Giacomo Mantovani donates the original film negative ‘Film 0_00004’ to the National Gallery
LONDON, UK, Oct. 10, 2025 — Giacomo Mantovani has donated the original film negative ‘Film 0_00004’ to the National Gallery in London. The handover took place on Sep. 18, 2025, at around 10:30 BST, marking a new milestone in the life of the project LCKDN20, as well as in Mantovani’s career and his ongoing commitment to analogue photography.
The negative is the source of the single-edition print ‘LCKDN20 – National Gallery F04’, which Mantovani donated to the Gallery in 2023. At the time of that first donation, Gabriele Finaldi, Director of the National Gallery, described the picture as “an image of great elegance and poignancy”, and the LCKDN20 project as “an extraordinary photographic project… both aesthetic and documentary.”
Mantovani said: “For me, it was important to treat this photograph like a one-of-one painting. The problem with photography is that, because an image can be replicated, it’s often not regarded as truly unique. By donating to the National Gallery both the only print and its original negative, my aim is to protect the work, give it greater significance, and ensure it can be passed on to future generations.”
Giacomo Mantovani, creator of LCKDN20, before the handover of ‘Film 0_00004’ on Sep. 18, 2025.
Authenticity in a digital age
At a time when digital and AI-generated imagery increasingly blurs the boundaries of what is real, Mantovani’s analogue practice stands in contrast — particularly with LCKDN20, which was shot on medium-format film, developed, and hand-printed in the darkroom.
For Mantovani, analogue photography is a tangible testament to authenticity — a means of recording history that preserves the captured moment within the limits of realism. The donation of ‘Film 0_00004’ reaffirms this commitment, highlighting the role of museums such as the National Gallery in recognising and preserving original pieces.
A continuing relationship with the National Gallery
With both the single-edition print and its source negative now part of the National Gallery’s collection, the work is preserved as a unified whole — the photographic equivalent of a painting and its preparatory sketch. The Gallery’s acceptance of both the print and the negative underscores the cultural and historical importance of Mantovani’s work.
Mantovani added: “Museums play a fundamental role in preserving meaningful works, and their recognition of an analogue project like LCKDN20 gives me hope that authenticity and craftsmanship will continue to matter in the years to come.”
About LCKDN20
LCKDN20 is a comprehensive documentation of the empty streets of London during the COVID-19 pandemic, captured on medium-format film and hand-printed on fibre-based paper by Giacomo Mantovani.
About Giacomo Mantovani
Giacomo Mantovani built his reputation in the commercial field, producing creative projects for well-established clients including Rio Tinto, Nothing, Nokia, OnePlus, Logitech, and Expedia.
As an independent, award-winning filmmaker, director, and photographer, Giacomo has produced acclaimed short films such as ‘Plastic Garbage – Scourge of the Seas’ and ‘Lightning’, both shot entirely on smartphones. His dedication to the medium has made him an ambassador for mobile filmmaking and photography, leading him to host a series of panels and masterclasses.
In recent years, Mantovani has dedicated himself to analogue photography, developing projects such as LCKDN20 and Peaceful Minds, which reflect his passion for working with film and his belief in its timeless authenticity.
Media & Enquiries
Email: info@mantovani.co
Project: LCKDN20.com
Artist Website: giacomomantovani.com