Dulwich Picture Gallery

Just 12 minutes by train from London Bridge and London Victoria stations, Dulwich Picture Gallery is the first purpose-built public art gallery in England, founded in 1811. Home to one of the most important collections of Old Master paintings in the world, the Gallery was designed by Sir John Soane, and stands as an architectural masterpiece in its own right. Its founders, Noel Desenfans, Francis Bourgeois and Margaret Desenfans, lie to this day in the beautiful mausoleum at the heart of the Gallery. The collection makes this remarkable and picturesque place one of the glories of Europe – Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto, Poussin, Gainsborough, Hogarth, Reni, Guercino, Tiepolo, amongst many other famous names, are all represented by masterpieces here. Our purpose is to house and preserve our international collection “for the inspection of the public”, in the belief that active engagement with art can change lives for the better.