Courtauld Gallery
London, Unknown
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Visitor Information
Museum Address
Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 0RN, United Kingdom
London, Unknown
Ticket Prices
£9-11 (under 18 free)
Featured Artists
5 artists in database
The Courtauld Gallery houses one of the finest collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings in the world, assembled largely by one man's independent taste. Textile industrialist Samuel Courtauld began collecting French modern art in 1922 when many dismissed it as worthless. Within a decade, he had acquired Manet's A Bar at the Folies-Bergère, Van Gogh's Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear, and a remarkable group of eight Cézannes. He founded the Courtauld Institute in 1932 to train art historians using original works rather than just photographs.
The gallery occupies the North Block of Somerset House, the rooms originally designed by William Chambers for the Royal Academy in 1780. Claude Monet's stunning Antibes series dominates one gallery, capturing Mediterranean light across multiple canvases. The Princes Gate Collection, added in 1978, brought Old Masters including works by Rubens, Bruegel, and Van Dyck. Beyond the famous Impressionists, visitors find medieval ivories, Botticelli drawings, and Italian Renaissance paintings. The collection totals over 33,000 objects spanning from the medieval period to the present day. Entry to the permanent collection became free in 2021.
Courtauld Gallery in London, Unknown houses 24 masterpieces in our database, including works by Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin and 2 other artists. Notable works include Triptych: The Two Thieves with the Empty Cross, The Entombment, The Resurrection and View of Cap d'Antibes.
Famous Works at Courtauld Gallery
Browse 24 notable artworks in our database. Click any work to see details and plan your visit.
Visiting Courtauld Gallery
Van Gogh's Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear (1889) is the top draw. Manet's Bar at the Folies-Bergère, and Gauguin's Nevermore are also here.
One of the finest small Impressionist collections in the world. Monet's Antibes paintings (multiple canvases) hang alongside Renoir, Degas, and Cézanne. The Impressionist galleries on the top floor get the best natural light.
Inside Somerset House on the Strand, a grand 18th-century building on the Thames. Reopened in 2021 after renovation. Van Gogh's self-portrait is in the Great Room on the top floor. Somerset House itself hosts exhibitions and an ice rink in winter.
It's small but the quality per painting is extraordinary. Samuel Courtauld, a textile magnate, bought these Impressionist masterpieces in the 1920s-30s when they were still affordable. Robert Campin's triptych is one of the oldest works.
About 1-2 hours covers everything. It's compact: only a few rooms compared to the National Gallery. That intimacy is the appeal. Gauguin's Nevermore and the Post-Impressionist paintings reward slow looking.
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Browse Our CollectionPlease note: Artwork locations and display status may change. Some paintings may be on loan, in restoration, or moved to different galleries within the museum. We recommend contacting Courtauld Gallery directly to confirm specific artwork availability before your visit.
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