The Courtauld Gallery in London’s Somerset House has reopened with new galleries and spaces for temporary exhibitions following a three-year transformation project.
The Courtauld Gallery has been closed since 2018. During this time, the institution has redisplayed and reinterpreted artworks from its collection across refurbished galleries.
“We are so excited to welcome visitors back into The Courtauld Gallery after being closed for over three years,” said Professor Deborah Swallow, The Courtauld’s director.
The Courtauld’s £57m redevelopment
“The transformation has been incredible, and the masterpieces in our collection now shine brighter than ever before,” Swallow added.”The Courtauld was founded in 1932 on the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to engage with art.”
Designed by architects Witherford Watson Mann, with gallery design by Nissen Richards Studio, the £57m redevelopment includes the restored LVMH Great Room, London’s oldest purpose-built exhibition space.
The Courtauld boasts a new gallery on the first floor to display a collection of paintings and decorative arts from the Medieval and Early Renaissance periods. Two new galleries on the top floor were designed for temporary exhibitions.
The project has made the institution’s spaces more accessible. Improvements include step-free entrance access, new display cabinets, and widened doors. The ground floor has a new visitor welcome area, as well as a restored entrance hall.
New galleries and study spaces
The London-based museum also features a new shop and the new Art Café. Teaching and research facilities have been refurbished and enhanced to offer new collection study spaces.
“This transformation would not have been possible without the generosity of our donors, to whom we are immensely grateful,” said Lord Browne of Madingley, The Courtauld’s chairman.
“The new Courtauld Gallery allows us to showcase the range and richness of the collection as never before, as well as to shine a light on areas of The Courtauld’s work that are less well-known,” he added.
“Our new spaces and facilities will also better support our acclaimed temporary exhibitions, as well as welcome schools, students and the wider community.”
Images: The Courtauld Gallery
