Leighton House is a fascinating time capsule, transporting you back to the time of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, and even further afield to the lands of the Orient. The former home and studio of Lord Frederic Leighton (1830-1896), this house proved to be Leighton's muse as well his home. He turned the space into the perfect showcase to display his work and the works in his collection to friends and admirers that flocked to see this fascinating building. Over the thirty years that Leighton lived and worked here he transformed the property into his own intensely private devotional space to the aura of ancient and mystical art.
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| The Arab Hall with exotic rugs and a small fountain in the centre |
The most amazing and justifiably famous room at Leighton House is the Arab Hall, which is lined floor to domed ceiling with over a thousand Islamic tiles, most of which Leighton bought back from his travels in Damascus. In this room Leighton would entertain his eclectic range of guests, artists, writers and musicians. I would imagine that they would have to be very careful not to fall into the fountain after craning your neck up at the stunning ceiling tiles after one too many glasses of bubbly.
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| The view of the ceiling of the Arab Hall, (without having to crane your neck) |
Much of Leighton's life remained shrouded in mystery as he was an intensely private man. He never married, although there were rumours of his having an illegitimate child with one of his models. He was the first British artist to receive a peerage, but was also the bearer of the shortest peerage in British history, as he died the day after he was created the First Baron Leighton of Stratton.
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| One of Leighton's most famous works (unfortunately not in the museum) |
Explore the rest of the house and you discover exquisitely decorated rooms filled with beautiful architecture and tiles, with sculptures and paintings everywhere. The museum has also preserved Leighton's impressive studio which boasts massive windows overlooking the garden. Finally if you venture outside there is a fantastic sculpture, which I thoroughly enjoyed:
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I am pretty sure you are not supposed to sit on it, but it was my birthday!
Good article on the Guardian webiste about Leighton House after its £1.6m restoration:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/dec/22/backstairs-secrets-art-lord-leighton
Entry to Leighton house is £5 for an adult, £3 for a concession.
