The Courtauld Gallery

Visited on 3÷29÷15:
This gallery is a part of the London Pass. It is small in size but hold incredible works of Art: Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt, etc. There was a special exhibition which consisted of black and whites.

A small, but well-​curated gallery in the gorgeous and historic Somerset House (a giant 18^th C estate). Perfect for a rainy afternoon. The Courtald Gallery and Institute have great gift shops too, as does Somerset House. Afterwards, go get a glass of wine at Fernandez and Wells or a coffee and cake at Tom’s Deli. Both locations in Somerset House.

The Courtauld Collection (not: «Gallery») at Somerset House is a *must-​see* London attraction for anyone who’s even remotely interested in 19^th and early 20^th century European painting. The collection actually reaches back to Renaissance and Baroque (Rubens in particular) art, but it is particularly strong on Impressionism and post-​Impressionism, with masterpieces by Van Gogh, Renoir, Cézanne, Morisot, Dégas or Gauguin. Also, there are several noteworthy English paintings (Gainsborough, Reynolds) and 20^th century pieces by Léger, De Vlaminck, Van Dongen, Rousseau, or Modigliani.
I would go so far as to call The Courtauld Collection the No.3 gallery when it comes to pre-​avantgarde art, after the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square and the Tate Britain in Pimlico. Unlike the latter, the entry is *not* free here: UKP 8.50 for an adult ticket if you also want to see the temporary exhibitions (when I visited in early May of 2015, there was an interesting exhibit on drawings of old women and «witches» by Goya), UKP 7 for just the permanent display. There are concessions for students and retirees, young people of 18 and under go free.
The halls of the collection are very attractive in and of themselves, and non-​flash photography in the permanent collection *is* allowed (see my photos). However, many paintings are lit in a way that renders photography impossible or pointless (as in: too much glare).
Nearby tube stations include Temple and Embankment, but it’s actually within walking distance from Trafalgar Square e.g. You can stroll along the River Thames and then walk up to the north entrance of Somerset House, which also holds several other collections and cafés. It’s also a beautiful building.

Compared to the dozens of other galleries and museums in London, this place is relatively tiny (only 530 paintings). I only made it a point to go because I am a whore for Impressionist and post-​Impressionist art and given 20 minutes in any art gallery/​museum in the world, I will seek out the Impressionists first. Despite its small size and its few floors, the Manets, Gougins, Cezannes, Monets and Van Goghs here were my favorite pieces of the five art museums I had been to in London.
Although I can not give the exact names of the paintings, I have seen many of them before, either at the Met here, in Paris or in my 800 page Art History book (freshmen electives did not always suck). Another attractive reason to visit this gallery is because you will be donating to the Courtauld Art Institute, a college devoted to the study of the history and conservation of art and architecture. I had free admission through the London Pass, but admission is cheap regardless, since it is $ 14 dollars American and free for students.

I am often surprised to hear that visitors to London have never heard of the Courtauld Gallery. The collection is extensive has some very well known pieces of art. The location is superb in beautiful Somerset House.
It rarely gets busy, so you can usually get a ticket right away.

It’s true the Courtauld may not have the hype that theTate or National Gallery gather but it certainly has a nice collection worth looking at. Sometimes, I find that the bigger museums can eventually wear me out but the Courtauld keeps it short and sweet.

A very special gallery, hosting some world-​famous, influential pieces of art. A great place to be inspired and transposed.
They’re currently in the midst of engineering a new exhibition, so one floor was empty, but I felt the gallery held just the right amount of art, so you didn’t feel bombarded and exhausted.
The gift shop has some lovely books and items, definitely recommend gift shopping there — especially if you’re buying for a child who is interested in culture.

really cute little art museum which specialises in Impressionism. I came on the Monday which is half price entry and it was not very crowded.
The layout of the museum is very easy to navigate. You do a loop on each level so you don’t miss any of the art. There are a load of Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, and Modigliani masterpieces. The current exhibit is the Gaugin exhibit which was very comprehensive.
A little gem of a museum in the city.

I’m a total sucker for Impressionist paintings, so Courtauld was high on my must-​see list. I ended up feeling underwhelmed by it, though, and felt that the National Gallery offered a better selection of this kind of art! Courtauld is basically two small floors of artwork in a very beautiful building/​area.
I’m not sad I went here (it was free with our London Pass cards), but I wouldn’t call this the must-​see site that I, myself, expected it to be.

This is a very sweet private gallery. Pictures without flash are allowed. We took advantage of free admission as part of the London Pass. The gallery is easy to understand and not overwhelming like most. We ended up purchasing prints of our favorite Degas piece in the gift shop. This gallery is worth a stop!

One of the few museums in London where you’ll pay a fee, but easily one of my favorites in town.
The impressionist and post impressionist collections here were most impressive. You’ll see masterpieces from Manet, Monet, Degas, Renoir, Cezanne, Van Gogh and Gauguin. My two favorite pieces in here are Modigliani’s «Female Nude» and Van Gogh’s self portrait where he is all bandaged up after slicing his ear off. I still think the reclining nude of Modigliani that hangs at the Met is his best work.
The Courtauld Gallery is an outstanding collection that is a must for fans of impressionists.

For a budget traveler like me, London rocks with its array of free museums.
Courtauld Gallery has a few famous pieces for art history buffs, if you’re willing to part with about 6£ for an easy one hour viewing.
The most famous painting for me here, is Manets, l’dejuener sur l’herbe, which looks strikingly bad in person, and his «Bar at the Folies Bergere», which seemed more impressionistic in person, but still very lovely. Both paintings were of everyday life,
one with a naked chick on a picnic with clothed men which freaked the art world out at the time, and the other of a bar maid seeming kind of solemn and beautiful with a big party going on in back.
They had a few good Gaugins if your a big fan of his. One of Van Gogh’s portraits is here which I quite like because the painting feels really disturbed.
The old house with spiral staircase is nice, but I might save this for a second trip to London, or for major art fans.

One of my favorite galleries. Very impressive collection of 19^th and 20^th centuries impressionism and post-​impressionism in several rooms. The London Pass gets you into the gallery too.
There’s also a moderate collection of Renaissance and Medieval works including works by Fra Angelico. Lucas Cranach’s «Adam and Eve» and «The Trinity with Saints» by Filipepi Botticelli are here for the public’s viewing.
But I spent the majority of my time viewing the 19^th and 20^th centuries work. My favorites include Renoir’s «La Roge» where Renoir focused on Paris theaters and this painting is an example of that.
And van Gogh’s «Self-​Portrait with a bandaged ear» is the highlight and the central focus of the gallery. The painting depicts van Gogh mutilating his right ear after a quarrel with Paul Gaugin in the 1880s.
But anyways, there is also works from Cezanne, Matisse, Manet and similar artists found here and there’s plenty of them too. You won’t be disappointed on your visit here.

A little gem of an art gallery tucked away inside the grounds of Somerset House (well, by the entrance but still quite unobtrusive). There is an entrance fee but even that is only £6 and less still for concessions. Another aspect of this gallery which finds favour with me is that it never seems to be particularly busy. Of course there are always people in the gallery but the Courtauld doesn’t gather large crowds, probably due to it’s lower profile.
The Courtaulds’ permanent collection contains many great paintings from some of the biggest names in the art world. From Van Gogh to Picasso, Monet to Manet, Michelangelo to Kandinsky, Renoir to Rosa, Rubens to… Well, there are lot’s, not to mention a number of British artists too. A few of the rooms also adorn some impressive fresco’s.
The recent temporary exhibit was displaying a number of works by Toulouse-​Lautrec focusing on the Moulin Rouge — which was also very enjoyable.
The main galleries are split over the upper floors while a café awaits in the basement. There are even lockers available for bags. What more could you possibly want?
Hooray for the Courtauld!
Ian

An amazing collection of some of the best known artworks in the world. Van Gogh’s classic self-​portrait, Picasso’s «Child with a Dove», Seurat, Monet, Manet, Renoir, Degas, Pissaro, Cezanne, wow. Just wow.
Inexpensive at £6 (or £4.50 at the moment). No audio guides, but they do allow pictures (no flash or tripod). A really great visit.
I’d recommend not coming on a school day or bank holiday.

This is a real favourite of mine.
It is housed now in Somerset House
having been moved from Bloomsbury.
It is small enough to take in at one visit
which is a delight. One of my favourite
pictures is the famous chair of Van Gogh
into which every viewer can project a sitter.
Nowadays, the homeless art project: SMart
works in the building, taking their talent
to look for inspiration in the gallery, before
creating their own work elsewhere in the basement.
Congratulations to the Courtauld for making
such a worthwhile enterprise possible.

As far as galleries go, the Courtauld doesn’t quite measure up to Britain’s other art exhibitions. A personal collection housed in Somerset House, the Institute is a little bit stuffy and «hoity toity» but has great art. Courtauld split up his personal collection between this gallery and the National Gallery and honestly, unless there is a specific painting you want to see here, you are better of going to the National Gallery. For one, the people are nicer at the Gallery and the Courtauld Institute has a hefty admission fee. I don’t want to bash this exhibit too much, I mean I am giving it 4 stars! I would just suggest researching what they have here before you go to make sure it is worth your time and money.

An entire room is devoted to Degas’ world-​famous sculptural studies of dancers… Embeded in the large Somerset House complex, Coutauld Gallery is less known to Londoners yet with a surperb collection, i.e. Michelangelo’s Dream, Van Gogh’s Self-​Portrait with Bandaged Ear… I also enjoyed the array of outstanding works charting the development of modern French painting from Monet and Renoir to Seurat and Gauguin.
The Café underneath the gallery is also easy to miss yet often being missed, an oasis within the splendid surroundings. The coffee and home made cakes are delicious… Wish I could have my Lavendar Orange cake now sitting in the courtyard and breathing the arty air.
Every once a while, the gallery also has themed music performance along with t the special exhibition. The scene outside gallery rooms also compliments the visiting experience. In winter late evenings, the ice rink on somerset house plaza has a modern lighting contrasting the gallery collections with its music and momentum. On a weekend early morning, the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court is quiet. Sometimes you see some beautiful figures posing and dancing along with the 55 water jets springing directly from the granite paving.
This place is meant to open minds to art.

My favorite gallery in London. The National Gallery is fantastic as well but I think the Courtauld is one of those hidden gems that every art lover needs to see.
Tucked away in the massive Somerset House, the Courtauld is full of beautiful paintings, focusing mainly on the Impressionist period and thus home to great works of Seurat, Monet & Renoir. Oh the Renoir… don’t even get me started it’s fantastic!
The gallery gift shop is great as well– good prices and great options for souvenirs or gifts. Also they sell these amazing Degas reproduction sculptures, which I would LOVE to purchase when I have the funds.
The Somerset House itself is a great site and before or after your jaunt to the Courtauld Gallery, I highly recommend taking a stroll across the way to the other side to their cafes, and on a nice day it’s a fantastic idea to sit outside with a great view of the Thames.

I attended an Open House day to satisfy my curiosities in Art. I was interested in Renaissance Art and wanted a few historical explanations. There were quiet a few like me who spent the day there.
The academy has an extensive archive collection, the library is humongous, the teachers are experts and well established in their field. Though sadly the tutor for the Renaissance department was going to retire and so I felt disappointed. However my brief experience of the academy left me with the impressions of extensive study in hisotry of art but with the highest degree of expertise knowledge and expect critique to be bounced back. It did seem a bit cut-​throat and catty.
Overall an Institure renowned for its collection and connections.

Ma plus belle visite de la semaine! Collection admirable quoique accrochée sans trop de lumière, dans un lieu splendide: c’est moins un musée qu’une belle demeure, et pourtant, Rubens, Van Gogh ou Picasso sont bien là!
Sculptures de Degas magnifiques
Expo Cézanne fin septembre 2008