The Estorick Collection in London: A Journey Through Modern Italian Art

Italy, known as the 'Art Capital', boasts a long cultural history. As the cradle of European culture, it is filled with artistic richness in every corner. So, what is it like to experience the charm of modern Italian art in London? Follow The London Pass to the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art and find out for yourself~

Housed in a beautiful Georgian building on Canonbury Square and open to the public since 1998, the Estorick Collection is the only museum in the United Kingdom dedicated specifically to modern Italian art. It offers visitors a wonderful opportunity to appreciate a wide range of paintings, drawings, and sculptures that showcase the distinctive features of modern Italian art.

As a relatively new London gallery, it displays some of the finest and most important works created by Italian artists in the first half of the 20th century, renowned for its outstanding core collection of Futurist works. Futurism, founded by the poet F. T. Marinetti in 1909, is Italy’s most significant contribution to 20th-century European culture.

However, the museum's collection also includes works by many artists completely unrelated to Futurism. Among them is Amedeo Modigliani, known for his elegant, elongated portraits and figure studies, including a series of fine paintings and the oil portrait of Dr. François Brabander.

Numerous paintings and drawings by the famous artists Mario Sironi and Massimo Campigli are also highlights of the museum. Sironi's artistic style briefly belonged to Futurism, but from the 1920s onward, he became a leading artist of the Novecento movement. Campigli's works are deeply influenced by Etruscan art.

Mario Sironi's works

Massimo Campigli's works

In the museum's sculpture exhibition, the plaster sculpture 'Impression of the Boulevard: Woman with a Veil' (1893) by Medardo Rosso is one of the earliest displayed pieces. Rosso is regarded as one of the most influential sculptors of his time.

Impression of the Boulevard: Woman with a Veil

In this historic building, you can explore six galleries spread over three floors and visit the library on the top floor, which houses over 3,000 books, journals, and exhibition catalogues related to 20th-century Italian art. This includes first editions of novels by Wyndham Lewis, landmark original texts such as the Vorticist magazine 'Blast', and graphic designs and writings by Fortunato Depero.

Image source: The Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art

Museum address: 39a Canonbury Square, London, N1 2AN

Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday 11:00 – 18:00, Sunday 12:00 – 17:00, closed Monday and Tuesday

Admission: £7.50, free with The London Pass