The Courtauld Gallery
London · United Kingdom · Founded 1932
Good for: Art Lovers · First-timers · Rainy-day visits
1932
Founded
530+
Masterworks
1.5–2 hours
Recommended Visit
Quick answer
The Courtauld Gallery in London, United Kingdom — the Courtauld was founded in 1932 by industrialist Samuel Courtauld and others to teach art history at university level. Open Daily: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Admission: £11 standard admission. World Museum Guide covers the highlights, getting there, and how long to allow (1.5–2 hours).
Verified 2026-06-30 against official sources.
About The Courtauld Gallery
The Courtauld was founded in 1932 by industrialist Samuel Courtauld and others to teach art history at university level. It moved into Somerset House's North Wing in 1989.
Following a major refurbishment completed in 2021, the gallery reopened with refreshed displays of its renowned collection — one of Britain's greatest holdings of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art.
The collection is intimate in scale but extraordinary in quality — Manet, Monet, Van Gogh, Cézanne, and Gauguin in rooms that feel like a private collection rather than a national museum.
Somerset House courtyard, with its fountains and ice rink, is one of London's great public spaces — free to enter and a perfect complement to the gallery visit.
1.5–2 hours highlights route
A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at The Courtauld Gallery without museum fatigue. · 1.5–2 hours
- 1
A Bar at the Folies-Bergère
📍 Room 6, Great Room
Manet's last major work — a barmaid reflected in a mirror behind a marble counter, with a ghostly male figure visible in the glass.
- 2
Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear
📍 Room 7
Van Gogh's self-portrait painted after he severed his ear — the bandaged head and fur cap conveying both physical pain and artistic resolve.
- 3
Mount Sainte-Victoire
📍 Room 8
Cézanne's late view of the mountain near Aix-en-Provence — geometric facets of colour that bridge Impressionism and Cubism.
- 4
The Card Players
📍 Room 8
One of Cézanne's five versions of peasant card players — monumental figures in a compressed interior, a cornerstone of modern art.
Masterworks & must-see highlights
The works that define The Courtauld Gallery — and why they matter.
A Bar at the Folies-Bergère
Édouard Manet · 1882
📍 Room 6, Great Room
Manet's last major work — a barmaid reflected in a mirror behind a marble counter, with a ghostly male figure visible in the glass. One of the most analysed paintings in art history.
Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear
Vincent van Gogh · 1889
📍 Room 7
Van Gogh's self-portrait painted after he severed his ear — the bandaged head and fur cap conveying both physical pain and artistic resolve. One of two Van Gogh self-portraits in the collection.
Mount Sainte-Victoire
Paul Cézanne · c. 1902–1906
📍 Room 8
Cézanne's late view of the mountain near Aix-en-Provence — geometric facets of colour that bridge Impressionism and Cubism.
The Card Players
Paul Cézanne · c. 1892–1896
📍 Room 8
One of Cézanne's five versions of peasant card players — monumental figures in a compressed interior, a cornerstone of modern art.
Collections & highlights
- • Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces
- • Samuel Courtauld's personal collection
- • Medieval and Renaissance art — Cranach, Bruegel
- • The Great Room — Rubens ceiling
- • Decorative arts and sculpture
- • Somerset House setting
Famous works in our collection guide
Frequently asked questions
Is the Somerset House courtyard free?
Yes, the courtyard, ice rink in winter, and fountains in summer are all free.
Is photography allowed?
Yes, in most of the galleries without flash.
How long should I spend at The Courtauld Gallery?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.
What is The Courtauld Gallery best known for?
The Courtauld was founded in 1932 by industrialist Samuel Courtauld and others to teach art history at university level. It moved into Somerset House's North Wing in 1989. Key highlights include A Bar at the Folies-Bergère by Manet, Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear by Van Gogh, Mountains at Saint-Rémy by Van Gogh.
How do I get tickets for The Courtauld Gallery?
£11 standard admission Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://courtauld.ac.uk/gallery/
Which single painting should I not miss?
Manet's A Bar at the Folies-Bergère — the mirror reflection, the barmaid's expression, and the ghostly figure make it one of the greatest paintings in any London museum.
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