On the Website you can read about this 18th Century architectural masterpiece which is being renovated and restored, opening key areas to the public for the very first time on May 26th. Somerset House is home to the Courtauld Institute and Galleries as well as the newly acquired Gilbert Collection of European decorative art, both of which can be visited through the website.The site has a Pictures section which is divided into a gallery and photograph collection. The gallery is organised into river views, portraits, Somerset House interiors and general views. The interiors are especially interesting and show the building in its historical role as home to the Royal Academy, the Stamp Office, the Royal Naval Museum and as meeting rooms for the royal Society and the Society of Antiquaries. Photographs are of general views and restoration works. It also has a virtual tour which can be navigated by clicking on areas of the floor plan.Through the links section you can access the Gilbert Collection site which is a series of illustrated postcard-sized panels of text that give an impression of the jewel-like nature of the objects in its collecions (miniatures, gold boxes, silver and Italian mosaics).There are also links to the Courtauld Institute through which you can view information about the latest gallery exhibition.
