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Museum Details
Leighton House Museum
Image: photo shows tiled hall
12 Holland Park
London
W14 8LZ
England
Collection details
Architecture
Archives
Decorative and Applied Art
Fine Art
Facilities
Shop: yes
Guided tours: yes
Study area: yes
Visual disability facilities: yes
Contact details
General information (Tel)
:
020 7602 3316
General information (Fax)
:
020 7371 2467
E-mail
:
LeightonHouseMuseum@rbkc.gov.uk
Website
:
www.rbkc.gov.uk/LeightonHouseMuseum
Open
Leighton House is open daily except Tuesdays from 11.00 am to 5.30 pm. The House is open on spring and summer bank holidays but closed on other bank holidays and on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Admission charges
Admission is free for library card holders and children who attend school in the Royal Borough.
Charges:
£3 for standard entry and tour parties
£1 for concessions and Friends of Leighton House
£6 Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children)
Description
Leighton House Museum is the former studio-house of the great Victorian artist Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830-1896). Located on the edge of London’s Holland Park, the house is one of the most extraordinary buildings of the nineteenth century.
The Arab Hall is the centrepiece of the house. Designed to display Leighton's priceless collection of over 1000 Islamic tiles, the interior evokes a compelling vision of the Orient. A golden mosaic frieze encricles the room, elaborate decorative paintwork illuminates the domed ceiling, coloured marbles clad the walls and in the centre a fountain adds a calming murmur to the sumptuous atmosphere.
The opulence of the Arab Hall continues through the other richly decorated interiors with gilded ceilings and walls lined with stunning peacock blue tiles by the ceramic artist William De Morgan. On the first floor is Leighton's grand painting studio, where he worked for many hours almost every day that he was at home. With its great dome and apse the studio is the heart and purpose of the house and was also the venue for Leighton's celebrated musical evenings.
Leighton was at the very centre of the London artworld and many of the leading figures of the day were welcomed into his extraordinary home. Today it draws visitors from around the world.
The Museum provides an unforgettable insight into Leighton’s private world and is a unique venue for the understanding and appreciation of Victorian art and architecture.
Collections description
Leighton House Museum has an outstanding collection of Leighton’s drawings. Most of these were acquired in the years immediately following the artist’s death. With the addition of later purchases the collection now comprises over seven hundred works.
Leighton's own collection also included works by many of his contemporaries, Burne Jones, Millais, Alma-Tadema and Albert Moore. Important works by these artists remain hanging in the house as well as over 80 examples of paintings and sculpture by Leighton himself.
Key artists and exhibits
Frederic Lord Leighton
;
Burne-Jones
;
Millais
;
Frederick Watts
;
Alma-Tadema
;
Albert Moore
;
Victorian art and architecture
;
Islamic tiles
;
William De Morgan
Articles
Leighton House Acquires Clytie - Lord Leighton's Last Painting
Leighton House Museum To Be Restored To Its Original Appearance
A World Garden In London
News In Brief - Week Ending September 24 2006
Muslim Histories In London During June And July
History, Sun, And Fresh Air: Museums With Parks And Gardens.
Islamic Art At Leighton House Museum
Trails
Gay History - A Trail Exploring LGBT Heritage In London Collections
Where To Find The Pre-Raphaelite Collections
The London Pre-Raphaelite Collections
General Information
Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
Pre-booking service for groups
Guided tours
Collections
General guide to collections available
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Public access available to collections information
Disability Access
General audio-guide available
Large print information and/or interpretation
Children and Families
Activities for pre-school children
Events and resources for children and families
Gardens open to public
General Education
Adult lectures and courses held
Education facilities available
General audio-guide available
Member of staff available with responsibility for education
Facilities
Facilities for private functions and events
Gardens open to public
General audio-guide available
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Research facilities for academics
Shop
Study facilities
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Information published here was believed to be correct at the time it was prepared. Welsh language pages developed with CYMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.