Tipped to be one of Kensington and Chelsea’s premier cultural landmarks and educational spaces, the Leighton House Museum is an iconic edifice devoted to the life and times of Frederic, Lord Leighton. Having opened its doors to the public as far back as 1929, the sprawling venue is a veritable tourist hotspot in the British capital for its connection with the famed artists and the extensive collection of art works on display within its plush confines. Located in Holland Park, the venue is the residence of Lord Leighton and is regarded a Grade II historical structure in London. Housed within the breathtaking structure one finds stunning works of art by the master painter and his contemporaries.
Designed by famed architect George Aitchison, the Leighton House Museum’s imposing appearance was decided upon as early as 1864 when the design for the structure was first penned. Red bricks fused with Caen stone was used as the primary building material in the structure which expanded in both size and scale over the next three decades. A work of art in its own right, the extravagant residence of Lord Leighton was thus designed with Victorian features and small pillars created by Sir Joseph Boehm and the gilded carvings on larger columns completed by none other than Randolph Caldecot. Marble work in the house was undertaken by George P. White, while the building’s infamous mosaics frieze was the handiwork of Walter Crane. Adorned with elaborate decorate art works and dome shaped ceilings, the centre of the building boasts a water fountain as well.
Some of the notable artworks on display include the Death of Brunelleschi, the Vestal, Hercules Wrestling with Death for the Body of Alcestes and the Countess of Brownlow which are among the 81 oil paintings by Lord Leighton. Work by other artists on show include Antonio Rossellino’s Madonna and the Candelabra and Sir Alfred Gilbert’s original drawing of Eros, while works by G.F. Watts, John Everett Millais, Luke Fildes and Burne-Jones are also found in the museum.
Having re-opened its gates to the public in 2010 after undergoing an extensive £1.6 million restoration effort, a previously unseen stairwell in the residence is now part of the exhibition area in the palatial museum.
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Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+
