Leighton House and Sambourne House

Celebrating Dorothy Dene born on this day in 1859 🎂 Born in a cottage in New Cross, southeast London, as the second of 10 children from modest circumstances, Dene went on to become Frederic Leighton's principal model in the later years of his life. Dene modelled for numerous works including, Bianca (1881), Desdemona (1888), Leighton's final painting Clytie (1895-6), and is also thought to have possibly modelled for his celebrated Flaming June (1895). She trained as an actress and managed to establish a reasonably successful career, including performances at the Haymarket theatre and in New York. Dene was one of the few admitted to Leighton’s bedroom to take leave of him as he lay dying in 1896. #DorothyDene #BOTD #OTD #Muse #ArtistModel #FredericLeighton

At the centre of the Narcissus Hall at Leighton Hall stands a bronze cast of Narcissus, the handsome youth punished for arrogance by Nemesis, who made him fall in love with his own reflection. When he eventually perished, the gods turned his body into a flower. What we now know as daffodils are called by the scientific name, Narcissus. Stepping into the Narcissus Hall, the silvery gold ceiling and deep blue, shimmering tiles give a sense of the waters Narcissus stared into. And in the mosaic floors, flower motifs surround the figure. 🎭 Hear the myth of Echo and Narcissus by storyteller Vanessa Woolf: https://youtu.be/KtwdAZeQ9Fg 👤 Vicenzo Gemito, Narcissus, c.1885. 🎞️ by Iron and Glass #Narcissus #RomanMythology

We're hiring! Visitor Experience Assistant Experienced in customer service with a passion for arts & culture? Join our team in a role that offers exposure to every aspect of running a heritage attraction Closing date: 3 March 2024 Learn more & apply: https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/museums-vacancies #museumjobs #visitorexperience

Join us for life drawing sessions in the Leighton House Studio, the former home of renowned Victorian artist Frederic Leighton, offering a unique opportunity to sketch live models in a setting rich with artistic heritage. All levels are welcome, whether you're an experienced artist or a beginner! ✏️ Life Drawing with 2B Or Not 2B Collective 👨‍🎨 Ages 18+ 💰 £30 for individual sessions or £125 for all five sessions 💰 Tuesdays, 5 March, 2 April, 14 May, 4 June and 2 July, from 1pm to 3pm 🎫 https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/life-drawing-2b-or-not-2b-collective ✏️ Young People: Artist-led Life Drawing 👨‍🎨 Ages 16-25yrs 💰 FREE 🎭 Saturday 2 March, 10:30am to 12pm with Elinor Stanley 👀 Saturday 9 March, 10:30am to 12pm with Olivia Sterling 🎵 Thursday 14 March, 7pm to 8:30pm with Naomi Afrassiabi 🎫 https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/young-people-artist-led-life-drawing #LeightonHouse #lifedrawing #lifedrawinglondon

As London Fashion Week celebrates its 40th anniversary this year - delve into the city's rich history with Maud Sambourne's illustrations, providing a window into the world of London fashionistas at the turn of the century. Often sketched within the fringes of her letters, her keen eye for detail and artistic flair capture the intricacies of Victorian and Edwardian attire, from the elaborate dresses to the ornate accessories. See some of Maud's illustrations and dresses in the upcoming exhibition... 👗 Out Shopping: The Dresses of Marion and Maud Sambourne (1880-1910) 📅 23 March – 20 October 2024 📍 Leighton House & Sambourne House 👉 https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/out-shopping #LondonFashionWeek #FashionWeek #OutShopping #MaudSambourne #victoriandress #edwardiandress

💅 Say goodbye to endless searches for the perfect nail varnish shade! Make every day a masterpiece with a-england's Leighton collections 🎨 Now available in the Leighton House Shop (at the museum and online): https://museumshop.rbkc.gov.uk/collections/accessories 💅 Flaming June 💅 Clytie 💅 Lachrymae 💅 Peacock Blue Glaze 💅 The Arab Hall 💅 Golden Dome 💅 Mashrabiya A England #FlamingJune #FredericLeighton #nailinspo

🧡🔥 Back with a bang in a brand new display! But shhh don't wake her 🤫... Rediscover Leighton's only 'Color Sketch for Flaming June', surrounded by four delicate preparatory drawings, offering an insight into the artist's vision when he created his iconic masterpiece in the Leighton House Studio. Nestled within the free-to-visit area of the redeveloped wing at Leighton House, learn more & plan your visit: https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/frederic-leightons-flaming-june-making-icon The Leighton House display coincides with the return of Flaming June to London, where it will be displayed at the Royal Academy of Arts (17 February 2024 - 12 January 2025). Colour Sketch for Flaming June has been returned on permanent loan to Leighton House, accepted under the Cultural Gifts Scheme by HM Government from Sir David Verey CBE, Chairman of The Friends, and allocated to Leighton House, 2023. #FlamingJune #LeightonHouse

Planning a visit to our museums soon? Join one of our volunteer-led tours of the historic interiors to learn more about the history of our collections and the lives of Frederic Leighton and Linley Sambourne... 🏡 At Leighton House: Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, 2:30pm - 3:15pm 🏡 At Sambourne House: Wednesday, 11.30am - 12:15pm • Tours are available for paid admission ticket holders only. • The tours are free to join and pre-booking is not required - simply register at the Welcome Desk upon arrival. • The tours operate on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited capacity. • The tours are led by volunteers and might be subject to last minute changes or cancellations. • Duration: 45 mins 👉 Plan your visit: https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/plan-your-visit #LeightonHouse #SambourneHouse

Illustrating Victorian Life - step inside Sambourne House, the Victorian family home of illustrator and photographer, Linley Sambourne, his wife Marion, and their children Roy and Maud. 🏡 https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/sambourne-house 📽️ Film by Iron & Glass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLxzqeeX_ww Discover more about the Sambourne women in upcoming exhibition... 👗 Out Shopping: The Dresses of Marion and Maud Sambourne (1880-1910) 📅 23 March – 20 October 2024 📍 at Leighton House and Sambourne House 👉 https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/out-shopping #SambourneHouse

Open until Sunday 3 March, don't miss a final chance to see the free Leighton House exhibition 'Maha Ahmed: Where Worlds Meet', where imaginary miniature worlds inspired by traditional Persian, Mughal and Japanese arts are brought to life in the museums first AR experience. 🎨 Maha Ahmed: Where Worlds Meet 📆 Open until 3 March 2024 💰 FREE to visit 📍 Leighton House, Kensington, London 🔗 Learn more: https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/maha-ahmed-where-worlds-meet #WhereWorldsMeet

From talks on Victorian fashion, to life drawing sessions, family fun workshops and free activities - put a spring in your step with new events inspired by our museums collections and upcoming exhibition 'Out Shopping: The Dresses of Marion and Maud Sambourne (1880-1910)' 🧵🎨📚📷 Explore What's On: https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/whats-on #thingstodoinlondon #londonevents #familyfun 2B Or Not 2B Collective Nagihan Seymour Ceramics CNDS London Craft Week Barakat Alice Burnhope Textiles Michael Backman

Join Duo Eunoia for a creative evening of drawing and music in Frederic Leighton's Studio, inspired by artworks exploring the theme of love, in all its expressions and complexities. 🎨🎻🎹 Valentine's with Duo Eunoia 📅 Wednesday 14 February, 6:30pm-9pm 💰 £15 (includes all materials) 🥂 Paid bar open from 6:30pm, with event starting from 7pm 🎫 Book your tickets: https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/valentines-duo-eunoia #Valentines #thingstodoinlondon

✨ Immerse yourself in magical miniature worlds and bring Maha Ahmed's artworks to life with the AR experience at Leighton House. Inspired by traditional Persian and Mughal manuscripts and classical Japanese painting, visit the free exhibition and watch Ahmed's fantastical creatures leap, swim and fly before your eyes. 🎨 Maha Ahmed: Where Worlds Meet 📆 Open until 3 March 2024 💰 FREE to visit 🔗 https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/maha-ahmed-where-worlds-meet Join us next Thursday for an online conversation with Ahmed where we'll explore her artistic practice and highlights from the exhibition together with Exhibition Curator, Hannah Lund, and Creative Director and Curator of Foundation Art Divvy, Zahra Khan. 🎨 In Conversation with Maha Ahmed 🌐 Online Talk 📅 Thursday 11 January 2024, 6:30-7:30pm (GMT) 💰 £10 🎫 https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/conversation-maha-ahmed ✨ AR by SMARTIFY 🎬 by Iron and Glass

Step inside the award-winning Leighton House and discover a painter's world... 💎 https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/about/leighton-house/hidden-gem-national-treasure 🎥 Filmed by Shogo Hino for BDP #LeightonHouse

Happy Birthday to Frederic Leighton, born on this day in 1830 🎂 Watch G.F. Watts' 1871 portrait of the artist come to life and step into a painter's world to learn more about Leighton with our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2thb-5tJrs #FredericLeighton #LeightonHouse #BOTD

Opening tomorrow! ✨ Maha Ahmed: Where Worlds Meet Inspired by traditional Persian and Mughal manuscripts and classical Japanese painting, explore imaginary miniature worlds filled with fantastical creatures in this free exhibition which draws from contemporary artist Maha Ahmed's personal experiences. Featuring a newly commissioned piece inspired by the rich interiors of Leighton House, as well as the museum's first immersive AR (augmented reality) experience with artworks brought to life through digital animation. 🎨 Maha Ahmed: Where Worlds Meet 📆 21 October - 3 March 2024 💰 FREE to visit 📍 Leighton House, Kensington, London 🔗 Plan your visit: https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/maha-ahmed-where-worlds-meet 🎞️ Watch the exhibition video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klG6Cu5-bBA Video animation produced by @smartifyorg #WhereWorldsMeet Maha Ahmed Qureshi Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Celebrating 1 Year

Celebrating 1 Year since our museums reopened their doors in 2022! What a year it's been 🎉 Thank you for being part of the journey... #LeightonHouse #SambourneHouse

Miniature painting workshop with Maha Ahmed

An exciting work in progress sneak peek of a special Leighton House inspired commission for Maha Ahmed's upcoming exhibition #WhereWorldsMeet Join Ahmed for a two-day artist-led workshop at Leighton House learning the art of miniature painting with a focus on the flora and fauna found in traditional Persian manuscripts. 🎨 Miniature painting workshop with Maha Ahmed 📅 Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 November, 10am-4pm 💰 £160 (25% discount for members of The Friends Under 30s) 🎫 Book now: https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/miniature-painting-workshop-maha-ahmed Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery #WIP #paintingworkshop #miniaturepainting