1. Édouard Manet, A Bar at the Folies-Bergère
Manet was a highly influential figure in the transition from Realism to Impressionism. Though he was close to the Impressionists, his views on art often differed from theirs. While the Impressionists boldly rejected the Salon, Manet still aspired to exhibit there. His style also remained quite realistic, despite his close ties to the group. Nonetheless, their friendship certainly influenced Manet’s brushwork and color choices. A Bar at the Folies-Bergère is his last large-scale painting. It shows his artistic skill at its peak.
This painting is one of many famous Impressionist works at the Courtauld Gallery. It’s a perfect stop for anyone who admires the 19th-century French avant-garde. Alongside Manet hang masterpieces by artists like Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, and even Claude Monet. This tranquil gallery also owns one of Van Gogh’s self-portraits. All that is less than a 15-minute walk from the National Gallery!
2. Dante Gabriel Rossetti, La Ghirlandata
The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood began in London, so it comes as no surprise that a significant amount of their works remain there. However, Tate Britain is not the only place to find them. Rossetti was one of the Brotherhood’s founders. He was known for painting women with sharp and striking facial features. This contrasted with the rounded look of women in academic style, which the Brotherhood rejected. La Ghirlandata is one of many paintings depicting his favorite model, Alexa Wilding. She appears in more finished works than any other of his muses. Despite that, not much is known about her life.
This famous artwork proudly hangs in a museum where we guarantee you won’t have to wait in line to get in. The Guildhall Art Gallery is tucked away in a small yard in the City of London. Yes, in the historic Londinium! It is situated on the ruins of London’s Roman amphitheater, which you can explore on the basement level of the gallery. It truly is one of London’s best lesser-known museums.
3. Jean-Honoré Fragonard, The Swing
Rococo dominated the French aristocratic art scene in the 18th century. Yet its most iconic painting hangs not in France, but in a small London museum. Though often called “Late Baroque,” it differs greatly from the dark and dramatic Baroque. In contrast to the preceding era, Rococo artists preferred more cheerful themes and pastel colors.
Fragonard was among the pioneering painters of that movement. Adored by the nobility, he created works with cheeky and suggestive scenes. One of his most famous works is, of course, The Swing. This artwork became an icon of the Rococo movement. A woman dressed in an extravagant puffy dress and a man participating in frivolous behavior, and top it all off with pretty pastel colors. That is precisely what Rococo artists wanted to represent in their works.
The French nobility weren’t the only ones drawn to this style. An English marquess, Lord Hertford, accumulated quite a significant collection of Rococo artworks. In 1865, he purchased The Swing to display proudly in his central London property. He left his entire collection and his London residence to his illegitimate son, Sir Richard Wallace. After Wallace’s death, his widowed wife bequeathed both to the nation.
That is how the Wallace Collection came to be. All artworks remain in the Marquess’s old townhouse in one of London’s most affluent neighborhoods. The collection is free to visit for the public. It definitely is worth a visit, especially if you already have plans to go to nearby tourist hotspots like Oxford Street or Madame Tussauds.
4. Guido Reni, Saint Sebastian
London is also home to one of Guido Reni’s Saint Sebastian paintings. Reni, an Italian Baroque artist, created mostly religious works, yet the story of this early Christian saint clearly fascinated him the most. We know of at least six of this artist’s works depicting Saint Sebastian.
Reni’s renditions of his story gained particular interest from the gay community. And so the depiction of the saint, though unrelated to homosexuality, became a gay icon. The reasons for this are unclear, but it’s often linked to his physique and expression. Some suggest the saint has “the ideal male form,” which contributes to his gay icon status. Additionally, his expression of pain closely resembles that of ecstasy. What’s certain is that Reni’s Saint Sebastian inspired many gay artists, like Oscar Wilde and Yukio Mishima. This further cemented the artwork’s place as a symbol within the gay community.
You might expect such an inspirational piece to be in one of London’s largest museums. That is not the case. This version of Guido Reni’s Saint Sebastian hangs at the Dulwich Picture Gallery. Though located far from the city center, it’s definitely worth the journey. The gallery boasts an impressive collection, featuring great artists like Rubens, Gainsborough, and Cuyp.
5. Rembrandt, Self-Portrait with Two Circles
Rembrandt was one of the greatest Dutch Golden Age artists, with a vast oeuvre. He was a versatile artist who could paint large biblical scenes just as well as landscapes. A significant portion of his works consists of portraits, especially self-portraits. Rembrandt produced around 80 self-portraits throughout his life. One of them you can find in a historic home with a spectacular art collection. Kenwood House, London’s hidden gem, sits at the northern end of Hampstead Heath. Though far from central London, it’s the perfect place to unwind.
Self-Portrait with Two Circles is one of Rembrandt’s last self-portraits. It shows the artist from the time he was around 60 years old. The fascinating part of this particular portrait are the mysterious two circles in the background. These circles do not appear in any other of Rembrandt’s self-portraits. If you wish to uncover the mystery behind them, definitely visit Kenwood House. A member of the staff will be more than happy to tell you all about them.
We hope this article convinced you to try the non-obvious London itinerary. If you want to find more of London’s lesser-known museums, we have prepared this article for you!