£7.50
      /person normally
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      Booking required

      This attraction requires advanced booking.

    What you'll do

    Situated just off the Holloway Road, the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art is housed in a beautiful Georgian building – it’s the perfect site for a relaxing afternoon taking in sculpture and Futurist paintings.

    Enjoy access to the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art with The London Pass® 

    • Pay nothing at the door – simply show your pass.
    • Explore the country’s only venue devoted to modern Italian art
    • The gallery also holds regular workshops for both adults and children around the subject and themes discussed in the permanent exhibitions

    Discover the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, a showcase of some of the most important pieces of Italian art from the early 20th century.

    The Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art is housed in a Grade II Georgian building – a perfectly placed venue for Britain’s only museum devoted to modern Italian art. This relatively new London gallery boasts some of its most important pieces from the early 20th century, mostly under the banner of Futurism, a movement founded in 1909 by F. T. Marinetti. Artists on display here include Umberto Boccioni, an artist who created the first artistic responses to Futurism and Medardo Rosso, who was hailed as one of the most influential sculptors of his time.

    Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art history

    When Eric Estorick (1913-93) studied at New York University during the 1930s, he discovered The Gallery of Living Art in Washington Square College. This remarkable collection, containing masterpieces by Picasso, Léger, Miró and Matisse, had a profound effect on him and inspired him to become a collector. After he came to live in England following the Second World War, he took his passion for art with him. But it was only when he was on his honeymoon in Switzerland, upon discovering Umberto Boccioni’s book Futurist Painting and Sculpture (1914), that he became enchanted by Italian art. This was to prove to be another enduring love this newly married man would come to experience. 

    Futurism was founded in 1909 by the poet F. T. Marinetti and became Italy’s most significant contribution to twentieth-century European culture. The creative atmosphere at the time was stifled by its own sense of heritage. Marinetti’s response to this was to break its oppressive weight and develop an aesthetic based on modern life and technology, particularly speed and the machine. Estorik’s understanding of, and fervour for, Futurism is showcased throughout the Collection and was objectively recognised by the Italian Republic in 1968, when he was given the title Cavaliere for his promotion of Italian art. In 1970, he was given the higher honour of Commendatore. Despite the accolades, Marinetti remained humbled by his intense love for the arts, refusing the Italian government’s offer to purchase his collection before donating the pieces to the Eric and Salome Estorick Foundation six months prior to his death. 

    Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art highlights

    • As the only venue dedicated to modern Italian art in Britain, you’ll have a rare chance to experience a large number of paintings, drawings and sculptures that helped shape the scene
    • Explore six galleries over three floors, a library, café and bookshop on either side of the entrance. 

    Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art facts

    • The house the Collection now resides in was constructed between 1807 and 1810 by the entrepreneur Henry Leroux of Stoke Newington. However, the Parliament Act of 1812 authorised the construction of a wide thoroughfare across Canonbury Square. Increased traffic of horses and carts made these properties less attractive to potential buyers, bankrupting Leroux.
    • Having been open to the public for almost twenty years, the museum closed for five months in 2016 to undergo a major phase of renovation and refurbishment intended to greatly improve the visitor experience. The entrance and shop were remodelled, and a glass conservatory extended the café space into the museum’s tranquil garden.   

    Don't miss

    The Library

    Located on the top floor of the museum, The Library contains over 3000 books, periodicals and exhibition catalogues. These include first editions of novels by Wyndham Lewis, original copies of landmark texts such as the Vorticist journal Blast and Fortunato Depero's masterpiece of graphic design and bookmaking. See his 'bolted book' in real life, as well as copies of Futurist journals and manifestos.

    Events at Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art

    For more events at Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, check the official site

    Know before you go

    Calendar Icon

    Booking required

    This attraction requires advanced booking.

    Getting in: present your pass at the main entrance.

    Please note: there is wheelchair access to four galleries out of the six, the café, shop, and toilets. There is also limited car parking for blue badge holders - please telephone in advance.

    Car parking: additional parking restrictions apply on Arsenal Football Club match days. Please check dates in advance if coming by car information is available using a phone line run by Arsenal and Islington Council: 0844 931 2211.

    Where you'll be

    Map of location of attraction

    39a Canonbury Square, London, GB

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    Operating hours

    Wednesday - Saturday: 11AM - 6PM
    Sunday: 12PM - 5PM

    Last admission: 30 minutes before closing time

    Closings & holidays

    This attraction is closed and shall be reopening Janurary 12, 2024.  

    Mondays & Tuesdays

    Buy with confidence

    Free cancellation

    Plans can change, we get it. All non-activated credits packages are eligible for a refund within 90 days of your purchase date.

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