Leighton House Museum
12 Holland Park, London, W14 8LZ, England
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.
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