Art is something that can be appreciated and enjoyed by all. No matter your age, understanding of art, educational level, or background, art is art. It’s in the eye of the beholder, so if something speaks to you and you find it striking, you aren’t wrong. And when it comes to the best cities for collections of art displays, it’s hard to beat what London offers. Even the city itself feels like a piece of historic artwork.
Just as people enjoy visiting casino sites with a good selection of games, many enjoy visiting art galleries that have a wide variety of beautiful art. With that said, let’s take a closer look at the best galleries in London, the artists they exhibit, and some interesting facts about them.
Tate Modern
Just as its name implies, Tate Modern displays modern and contemporary art pieces that have been collected from around the world. Even the building has an interesting history, as it was once a power station for the city of London. Some of the pieces on display here are so impactful that they have had a profound effect on how people see and create modern art. You’ll find large-scale installations, sculptures, paintings, and more.
As for the iconic artists, there are pieces from Henri Matisse, Yayoi Kusama, and Pablo Picasso, just to name a few. The Tate Modern website is filled with useful information that will help you plan your visit. You can search by artist, theme, or artwork, allowing you to customize your time in the gallery.
Tate Britain
The Tate Britain is also part of the Tate family of museums and galleries. From 1897 to 1932 this museum was called the National Gallery of British Art. Unlike the Tate Modern, Tate Britain covers 500 years of British art specifically. You’ll find pieces from Lubaina Himid, David Hockney, Francis Bacon, David Bomberg, William Blake, William Dyce, William Hogarth, and more. If you’re a fan of JMW Turner, Tate Britain is home to the largest collection of his work in the world.
In terms of size, Tate Britain is one of the largest museums in the country and can get very busy during peak tourist season. Because it was established in 1897, it’s not just the pieces that are historic; it’s also the building.
Dulwich Picture Gallery
If you’re looking for an art gallery that feels vibrant and alive, you need to visit the Dulwich Picture Gallery. Once again, you’ll find iconic pieces here such as Girl at a Window (van Rijn, Rembrandt), The Triumph of David (Poussin, Nicolas), Venus, Mars and Cupid (Rubens, Sir Peter Paul), and A Woman playing a Clavichord (Dou, Gerrit).
For those unfamiliar with this gallery, it was founded in 1811 and was the first ‘purpose-built public art gallery’ in the world. At that time, Sir Francis Bourgeois RA bequeathed his entire collection for the public to view and enjoy.
The National Gallery
If you want to experience the best of the best in terms of paintings, you simply must visit The National Gallery. This gallery is home to paintings from such legends as Van Gogh, Van Dyck, Turner, Vermeer, Cézanne, Monet, Bellini, Rembrandt, and Titian. Visitors can’t help but move slowly through the exhibits, with each space feeling grander than the one before. Located in London’s Trafalgar Square, it was founded in 1824 and now holds more than 2,300 paintings.
The artwork here is described as ‘timeless’, and that sums it up perfectly. You’ll find pieces that you’ve read about and maybe seen replicas of, but to stand in front of the originals is a feeling like no other. There always seems to be exhibitions and events happening at The National Gallery too, so if you’re keen on visiting, be sure to check out the calendar of events on the website.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Not every art gallery needs to house paintings, photographs, and sculptures. For many, fashion is their favorite art form. If that sounds like you, then a trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum is a must. The gallery/museum is now home to the largest collection of dress not just in London, but in the world.
Founded in 1852, it was given the namesake of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. There are an astonishing 2.8 million pieces in the museum, and that’s just the permanent pieces. There are always visiting collections on display that you can explore. The collections are divided into various categories such as costume, fashion in motion, hats, furniture, frames, books, glasses, shoes, embroidery, fashion, jewelry, and more.
The gallery displays pieces spanning 5,000 years. A few of the people who are highlighted in the museum are Lucienne Day, Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Elsa Schiaparelli, David Bowie, Mary Quant, and so many others.
The Royal Academy of Arts
If it’s history you’re after, you’ll find it in the Royal Academy of Arts. This gallery was founded in 1768 and is known for its constantly rotating collections. This means you can visit now and next year discover all new pieces. It currently houses the only Michelangelo sculpture in the UK.
Located in Piccadilly, London, it is a privately funded institution, which makes it unique right there. As its slogan states, this is the ‘place where art is made, exhibited, and debated’, and you can feel that in the air.
Saatchi Gallery
For those who appreciate contemporary art and want to see what young artists are creating, the Saatchi Gallery will leave you in awe. Located in Chelsea, the gallery features pieces from international and young artists. Its namesake, Charles Saatchi, was the person who donated the collection. Upon his retirement, it will be renamed the Museum of Contemporary Art, London.
Art Can Be Found Throughout the City
While the above galleries are sure to impress, this list is only a small snippet of what London has to offer. If you have an appreciation for art, then you’ll be overjoyed to explore the many galleries. There’s a hidden gem on almost every street corner!