London has a plethora of world-class museums and art galleries which attract visitors from all over the world. The city is overflowing with culture, and its museums and galleries provide an insight into the history and art of London, as well as showcasing some of the most famous works of art in the world. Here is a selection of some of London’s most famous museums and art galleries:
British Museum
The British Museum is one of the top tourist attractions in London. Founded in 1753, it houses more than 8 million objects from around the world, including ancient Egyptian mummies, Anglo-Saxon treasures and Roman sculptures. It also contains the Rosetta Stone and Parthenon sculptures, two of its most iconic objects.
National Gallery
The National Gallery was founded in 1824 to house a collection of paintings from Old Masters such as da Vinci, Michelangelo and Rembrandt. Today, it is home to one of the largest collections of European paintings in existence with over 2,300 works on display. It also hosts special exhibitions throughout the year.
Tate Modern
Tate Modern is an iconic modern art gallery located on London’s South Bank. Opened in 2000, it houses a large collection of international modern art from 1900 to present day including works by Picasso, Warhol and Pollock. The gallery also hosts regular exhibitions featuring emerging artists.
Victoria & Albert Museum
The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) is one of London’s largest museums covering decorative arts, sculpture and textiles from around the world. It has over 4 million objects on display ranging from Chinese ceramics to Renaissance jewellery.
National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum is located in Greenwich on the south bank of River Thames. It explores Britain’s naval history through its impressive collection which includes model ships, maritime paintings and objects associated with famous sailors such as Captain Cook.
Conclusion:
London’s most famous museums and art galleries are British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Victoria & Albert Museum and National Maritime Museum.