What is the Courtauld?

The Courtauld isn’t just a gallery; it’s a world-leading university for art history. Founded in 1932, it was the first in the UK to offer a degree in History of Art.

Rayon magnate Samuel Courtauld used his industrial fortune to acquire iconic Impressionist masterpieces, introducing the "radical" French avant-garde to a skeptical British public in the 1920s.

The Courtauld is home to the scholars who define the field. The faculty are world-leading historians uncovering the secrets of visual culture. Their work doesn't just explain art history, it shapes how the world understands and values it today.

The Courtauld was a pioneer in using X-rays and chemistry to study art. Their world-famous conservation department doesn't just look at paintings; they "operate" on them using cutting-edge technology to uncover hidden layers and ensure the canvases survive for centuries.

Scholarship at the Institute is fueled by one of the world's most significant visual archives. The Witt and Conway Libraries contain a staggering 3.6 million photographs and reproductions of paintings, drawings, and architecture.

Join the Courtauld's world-leading historians and scholars to "look deeper" as you zoom into these masterpieces to uncover the hidden stories and layers within the collection.