Home Destinations Europe England London Sights Courtauld Institute Gallery

Courtauld Institute Gallery Review

Read our London sights reviews. Or post your own.

London Categories:

WHAT'S NEARBY

Courtauld Institute Gallery

Member Rating: ***** 5.0 | Rate It

Address: The Strand, Covent Garden, London, WC2 | Map It
Phone: 020/78482526
www.courtauld.ac.uk

Category: Museums/Galleries
Location: Covent Garden

Fodor's Review:

One of London's most beloved art collections, the Courtauld is to your left as you pass through the archway into the grounds of the beautifully restored, grand 18th-century classical Somerset House. Founded in 1931 by the textile magnate Samuel Courtauld to house his remarkable private collection, this is one of the world's finest impressionist and Postimpressionist galleries, ranging from Bonnard to van Gogh. A déjà vu moment with Cézanne, Degas, Seurat, or Monet awaits on every wall (Manet's Bar at the Folies-Bergère is the star), with bonus post-Renaissance works thrown in. Botticelli, Brueghel, Tiepolo, and Rubens are also represented, thanks to the exquisite bequest of Count Antoine Seilern's Princes Gate collection. German Renaissance paintings, bequeathed in 1947 include the colorful and delightfully wicked Adam and Eve by Lucas Cranach the Elder. There are also some bold and bright Fauvist paintings. Don't miss the little café downstairs. The Courtauld Institute of Art (on the other side of the entrance archway) is part of London University and trains art historians and conservators.

Cost: £5, free Mon. 102, except bank holidays
Open: Daily 106; last admission 5:15
Tube: Covent Garden, Holborn, Temple

Member Reviews & Ratings:

Excellent little museum

Posted by bachslunch from US on 4/2/08
Small, but top quality collection with some must-see Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings. A delight after visiting some of London's bigger museums.

Experience: 5.0 Ease: 5.0 Value: 5.0 Don't Miss: 5.0 RATING: 5.0

Get Advice From Other Travelers

Your choice of markets in London?
24 responses; most recent on 09/29/2008, 11:50 am
Where to Stay in London
31 responses; most recent on 09/28/2008, 01:53 pm
Period London Hotel?
18 responses; most recent on 09/26/2008, 03:05 pm
Left Luggage in London
11 responses; most recent on 09/24/2008, 04:50 pm

Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip >>

Buy the Guidebook

$18.95

Get the Fodor's Newsletter

Read the current issue
For more travel ideas, tips, and deals, sign up for the Fodor's newsletter here. Browse previous issues.