Leighton House Museum

The Leighton House Museum, located in the Holland Park neighborhood in London, represents a living work of art and a tribute to the Victorian era through the life and work of its illustrious owner, Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830-1896). This museum, which was once Leighton’s residence and studio, offers a fascinating combination of history, art, and architecture that enchants visitors with its opulence and unique design. Frederic Leighton, one of the most important Victorian artists, commissioned the construction of the house to architect George Aitchison in 1864. Leighton, who had spent much of his youth in Europe, settled in London in 1859 and envisioned his house as a place to work, live, and entertain. The building was constructed in several phases, with continuous expansions and modifications that reflected Leighton’s growing success and artistic aspirations. The exterior facade of Leighton House may seem modest, but the interior is a celebration of Victorian aesthetic taste. One of the most striking elements is the Arab Hall, inspired by Leighton’s travels in the Middle East and North Africa. Built between 1877 and 1881, this hall features an extraordinary collection of Islamic tiles, mainly from Damascus and dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The golden domed ceiling, the frieze with peacocks, and the central fountain create an atmosphere of exotic luxury that transports visitors to another era. The house was not only a refuge for Leighton, but also a center of social and cultural activities. The dining room, decorated with red wallpaper and ceramics collected during his travels, hosted dinners with some of the most famous artists and figures of Victorian society. It is said that Leighton, with a touch of vanity, used a slightly higher chair than the others during these dinners. The Silk Room, added in 1894-1895, represents the final expansion of the house and was designed as a gallery to display Leighton’s growing collection of paintings and those of his contemporaries, including John Everett Millais, George Frederic Watts, and John Singer Sargent. This space, with its walls lined with green silk, offers an intriguing contrast with the rest of the house, exemplifying Leighton’s sophisticated taste for art and design. The different rooms and studios reveal Leighton’s approach to artistic creation. The Winter Studio, added in 1889-1890, was an ingenious solution to address the lack of natural light during the winter months. This studio, with glass walls and roof, allowed Leighton to make the most of available light and continue working during the winter. Leighton’s bedroom, surprisingly modest compared to the rest of the house, reflected his desire for a private and quiet space. It was the only bedroom in the house, apart from the servants’ quarters, and offered a refuge from the splendor and visual stimulation of the other rooms. After Leighton’s death in 1896, his house was transformed into a museum thanks to the efforts of his sisters and his neighbor and biographer Emilie Barrington. Open to the public in 1900, Leighton House has been preserved as a center for the arts, and today is managed by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The museum continues to evolve, with additions and restorations that keep Leighton’s legacy alive and offer new exhibition spaces for events and temporary exhibitions. One of the recent additions is the work “Oneness” by contemporary artist Shahrzad Ghaffari, which occupies a new spiral staircase added during the recent renovations. This modern intervention harmoniously fits into the historical context of the house, demonstrating how the museum continues to be a place of creativity and innovation.