Free Entry To Tate Britain in London
Take a Tour Round London's Tate Galleries Free of Charge
Jun 4, 2009
Established in 1897, the Tate Britain Gallery is situated on the River Thames along Millbank and houses great works by British painters from 1500 to present day. Admission to see the permanent collection is free of charge.
The exceptional collection includes many of Britain's most well known artists such as, John Constable, William Hogarth, Thomas Gainsborough and George Romney. There is also a small collection of Rothko from his black and red on maroon period of the late 1950's, though the grandest collection is dedicated to J W Turner who dominates the whole of the west wing.
Free Tours Round Tate Britain
In addition to the free entry, Tate Britain also run free guided tours four times a day. The first tour starts at 11.00 and covers the period from 1500-1800. At 12.00 visitors can learn about the artwork from 1800-1900. Tours resume at 2.00 and cover the massive Turner collection and the final free tour is at 3.00 covering artwork from the last century to present day.
The tours are interesting and insightful and for no cost it is well worth investing the time. Learn how Constable paintings reflect the personal life of the artist, in particularly the crass strokes of stormy clouds in 'The Chain Bridge' and his sketch of 'Hadleigh Castle,' shortly after the early death of his wife.
Patrons also learn about the life and times of the artists and the story behind the picture. Henry Wallis' painting of 'Chatterton,' for example reflects the suicide of a young poet who had been found forging medieval poems and Millais' interpretation of 'Christ in the House of his Parents,' caused controversy when it was first unveiled in 1850.
Visitors to Tate Britain see many fascinating works, such as the grandiose work of 'Gordale Scar' in Yorkshire by James Ward, the Tudor and Jacobean clients of Thomas Gainsborough and George Romney's portrait of 'Lady Hamilton as Circe,' the Lady herself famous for being the lover of Admiral Lord Nelson.
Several of the paintings originally commissioned by the galleries major benefactor, Henry Tate have always been features of the permanent collection since it opened and are still on display. The most famous is probably Luke Fildes masterful work of 'The Doctor,' which in 1947 was made into a United States postage stamp and appeared in the film Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone.
Contemporary works at Tate Britain
Contemporary works feature Tony Swain, the daring Gilbert & George whose artwork feature images of a sexual nature and Peter Lanyon, considered to be the most influential of the British abstract expressionists.
The gallery opens on a daily basis from 10.00 - 17.50 with the last admission at 17.00. The first Friday of every month the gallery stays open until 22.00 with the last admission at 20.30.
Tate Britain, Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG. Tel: 020 7887 8888. E-mial: visiting.britain@tate.org.uk
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