HISTORY OF THE BUILDING.

This is the second house to be built on this site; the first was the home of many leaders from 1547—1775.

William Chambers designed the present building but died before it was finished. Robert Smirke added a wing along with James Pennethoraone. It wasn’t finished until 1836. Until 1973 it housed the offices of births, deaths and marriages, along with many other Government offices.

Behind the building is a splendid courtyard.

Although the Courtauld Institute took over Somerset house in 1990 the gallery did not  fully open until May 2000. The Courtauld gallery is hosting a large collection of Western European art. In the courtyard there are open-air events weather permitting. At Christmas they turn it into an ice-skating rink.

The 18th Century building is impressive and is worth a look in itself.

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