A century has passed since the artist’s residence, which gained fame as the backdrop for Spandau Ballet’s 1983 hit “Gold,” became a public museum.
Frederic Leighton, a painter, initiated the construction of Leighton House in 1864. After his passing in 1896, while his art collection was sold, the house itself remained intact.
Since 1900, visitors have been welcomed, and when the local council acquired the building in 1926, its status as a public museum was assured.
Currently, the museum is inviting individuals to contribute their recollections from the past century for the exhibit titled “Leighton House: A Journey Through 100 Years.”
Leighton envisioned a studio-home specifically designed for both his artistic pursuits and personal living.
His friend George Aitchison, whom he had met in Rome over ten years earlier, was brought in as the architect.
The project spanned more than three decades, with the house crafted as a testament to artistic elegance, designed to both entertain and impress fellow artists, collectors, and notable figures.
From 1869 to 1895, the house underwent significant changes with various expansions.
During World War II, it suffered damage from bombings and remained closed until the early 1950s.
Due to financial limitations during restoration, the interiors were whitewashed, floors stripped bare, and fluorescent lights installed, which diminished much of Leighton’s original decorative work. Fortunately, these elements have since been restored to their original vibrant hues and Middle Eastern influences, including the re-gilding of the dome and the restoration of the ziggurats atop the Arab Hall.
To commemorate the centenary, the museum is organizing several significant exhibitions and encouraging the public to share their personal experiences of the house.
Kensington and Chelsea councillor Kim Taylor-Smith called on the community to participate, describing Leighton House as “Kensington’s own National Treasure.”
Senior curator Daniel Robbins expressed that the centenary program “celebrates every unique attribute of Leighton House that renders it distinctive, significant, and relevant even after 100 years.”
