Explore London's Off-the-Beaten-Path Palace of Art: Leighton House in Kensington

Tucked away in London's Kensington neighborhood, Leighton House offers visitors a chance to step back into the Victorian era. The former home and studio of Victorian artist Frederic Leighton was designed by architect George Aitchison and later transformed by Leighton into what he called a 'Palace of Art'. Following an GBP 8 million restoration, the museum reopened in 2022 to showcase its unique interior spaces filled with maximalist decor.

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Inside the Palace of Art

Leighton House reflects a strong Victorian interest in Oriental style, holding an impressive collection of Arab tiles, mosaic floors, gold friezes, antique oriental rugs, and artistic works. During his travels to the Middle East, Leighton collected various tiles and antiques to decorate his residence. While most artworks displayed today are reproductions, visitors can see original pieces by artists such as Leighton, Millais, and Tintoretto, including a small color study for Leighton's famous work Flaming June.

Key Rooms and Highlights

Visitors exploring the property can see several distinct rooms and architectural details:

• Staircase Hall: Features turquoise blue tiles, a mosaic floor, an inlaid Syrian chest with a stuffed peacock, a bronze Dancing Faun satyr sculpture, and a reproduction of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel fresco.

• Narcissus Hall: Serves as a connecting passage lined with deep blue tiles and a gilded ceiling, housing an 1885 bronze sculpture of Dionysus (originally thought to depict Narcissus).

• Arab Hall: The centerpiece room reflecting Oriental influence and intricate tilework.

About the Artist

Born in Scarborough in 1830, Frederic Leighton trained in Florence, Rome, and Frankfurt. His classical and Renaissance-inspired style brought him national fame when Queen Victoria purchased his debut Royal Academy painting, Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna. Leighton eventually became the President of the Royal Academy of Arts and lived in this home until his death in 1896, after which it opened as a public museum.