LONDON'S SMALLER ART COLLECTIONS

A gallery-based course which aims to explore London’s lesser-known and often overlooked art collections. One advantage of the smaller collection is that it can often be seen in its entirety and its setting is an integral part of the experience. Students meet at the venue where they’ll be led on a guided visit and encouraged to discuss a range of painting, sculpture, architecture and decorative art.

FENTON HOUSE

Set in pretty gardens, Hampstead’s 17th century Fenton House has a collection based on Victorian collector and benefactor George Salting (1835-1909) and added to by his niece. Highlights include a collection of paintings by Sir William Nicholson on loan from the Bacon family, who commissioned them; blue-and white Chinese porcelain, almost all from the Kangxi period (1662-1722); exquisite small needlework pictures; and the Benton Fletcher Collection of harpsichords, clavichords, virginals, spinets and pianos, all kept in playing order.