The Courtauld Institute of Art is the foremost centre in Britain for the study of art history and conservation and enjoys an international reputation.  The Courtauld is based in the central London location of  Somerset House, one of the capital’s grandest and most famous neo-classical buildings, which was designed by Sir William Chambers in the late eighteenth century. The Courtauld’s rooms are rich in historical associations, being originally designed for, and inhabited by, the Royal Academy and other learned societies.

The world-famous Courtauld Gallery collections range from the thirteenth century to the present day and include superb Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, works by Rubens and Gainsborough as well as by celebrated Renaissance artists, and prints and drawings by Michelangelo, Leonardo, Hogarth and Rembrandt, among many others.

There are also displays of 20th-century paintings and sculptures by artists such as Kandinsky and Rodin. The East Wing Collection, a biennial thought-provoking exhibition of contemporary art curated by a group of our students, is on view throughout The Courtauld.

From 20 June to 8 September 2013, The Courtauld Gallery will also present the first of a new series of special Summer displays which will showcase aspects of The Courtauld’s outstanding permanent collection.  The Gallery holds the most important collection of works in the United Kingdom by the Post-Impressionist master Paul Gauguin, which were assembled by the Courtauld founder and pioneering art collector Samuel Courtauld.  Its display Collecting Gauguin: Samuel Courtauld in the 20s brings together the Gallery’s complete collection of important  paintings, works on paper as well as one of only two marble sculptures ever created by the artist and two major loans of works formerly in Samuel Courtauld’s private collection.  Collecting Gauguin offers an opportunity to consider the contribution of Samuel Courtauld  in developing the artist’s reputation in this country.

 



Getting Here


The Courtauld Institute of Art
Somerset House
Strand
London WC2R 0RN



Take a Virtual Tour of The Courtauld Gallery
Take a Virtual Tour of The Courtauld Institute of Art

See also Somerset House website.

 

Transport


Tube stations: Temple, Charing Cross, Embankment
Train stations: Charing Cross, Waterloo

Transport for London’s online Journey Planner provides information on London Underground and Buses.

The National Rail Enquiries site provides travel information on rail travel throughout the UK.

The Eurostar site provides timetables and travel information for international services to and from Waterloo.