About the museum
Leighton House Museum is the former home and studio workspace of
the Victorian artist Frederic Leighton (1830-1896). It is widely
acknowledged as the best example of a late nineteenth century
artist's home open to the public in the UK. Constructed from 1864,
the house was continuously added to by Leighton until his death in
1896. A famous architectural addition was the stunning Arab Hall of
1877. Lined with hundreds of sixteenth and seventeenth century
tiles from Damascus, Syria, and inlaid with Egyptian woodwork, the
hall is a striking celebration of the Middle East in London.
Visitors can also see Leighton's grand studio on the first floor
where he painted most of his masterpieces. After Leighton's death,
the house became a museum in 1900 and is administered by the Royal
Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
Today, it runs a diverse and engaging exhibition and education
programme.