Tate Modern, London

Q: What are Tate Modern's most famous artworks?

Andy Warhol's Marilyn Diptych (1962) and Damien Hirst's shark in formaldehyde are icons of the collection. Gerhard Richter's Cage paintings are also here.

Q: Is Tate Modern free?

Yes, the permanent collection is free. Special exhibitions charge admission. The building is a converted power station on the South Bank, open daily. Warhol's Marilyn and the Pop Art galleries are usually on Level 2.

Q: What art periods does Tate Modern cover?

International modern and contemporary art from 1900 to now. Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, and conceptual art all have dedicated displays. The collection rotates frequently, so repeat visits show different works.

Q: What's the difference between Tate Modern and Tate Britain?

Tate Modern covers international modern art (1900+). Tate Britain focuses on British art from 1500 onwards, including the Pre-Raphaelites and Turner. They're about 20 minutes apart by the Tate Boat along the Thames.

Q: What's the building like?

The Bankside Power Station (1947) was converted by Herzog & de Meuron, opening in 2000. The Turbine Hall hosts massive commissions. The Switch House extension (2016) added 10 floors. Monet's Water-Lilies provides a calmer contrast to the contemporary pieces.

London, UK

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Visitor Information

Museum Address

Bankside, London SE1 9TG, United Kingdom

London, UK

Ticket Prices

Free (exhibitions £16-22)

Official Website →

Featured Artists

15 artists in database

1Edwin Landseer4 works 2George Frederick Watts4 works 3John Constable3 works 4William Blake3 works 5William Holman Hunt2 works

Tate Modern transformed a decommissioned power station into one of the world's most visited art museums when it opened in May 2000. The Bankside Power Station, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and built between 1947 and 1963, generated electricity for central London until 1981. Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron won the competition to convert the industrial cathedral into gallery space, keeping the massive Turbine Hall as a dramatic entrance and commission space. The Queen opened the museum on May 11, 2000, and 5.25 million visitors came in the first year alone.

The collection focuses on international modern and contemporary art from 1900 onward. William Blake's visionary prints, including Newton and Nebuchadnezzar, represent the collection's British roots. Works by John Constable and the Pre-Raphaelites share space with Picasso, Dalí, and Warhol. The Switch House extension opened in 2016, adding ten floors of new gallery space. Rather than chronological arrangement, Tate Modern groups art thematically. Entry to the permanent collection is free, making this one of London's most accessible cultural institutions.

Visiting Tate Modern, London

Andy Warhol's Marilyn Diptych (1962) and Damien Hirst's shark in formaldehyde are icons of the collection. Gerhard Richter's Cage paintings are also here.

Yes, the permanent collection is free. Special exhibitions charge admission. The building is a converted power station on the South Bank, open daily. Warhol's Marilyn and the Pop Art galleries are usually on Level 2.

International modern and contemporary art from 1900 to now. Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, and conceptual art all have dedicated displays. The collection rotates frequently, so repeat visits show different works.

Tate Modern covers international modern art (1900+). Tate Britain focuses on British art from 1500 onwards, including the Pre-Raphaelites and Turner. They're about 20 minutes apart by the Tate Boat along the Thames.

The Bankside Power Station (1947) was converted by Herzog & de Meuron, opening in 2000. The Turbine Hall hosts massive commissions. The Switch House extension (2016) added 10 floors. Monet's Water-Lilies provides a calmer contrast to the contemporary pieces.

Other Museums in London

National Gallery

151 artworks

British Museum

43 artworks

Tate Britain

33 artworks

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Please 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 Tate Modern, London directly to confirm specific artwork availability before your visit.

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