Orleans House Gallery
Orleans House Gallery
Riverside
Twickenham, Middlesex
Greater London
TW1 3DJ
England
Website
Telephone
020 8831 6000
Fax
020 8744 0501
Sheltered within six acres of natural woodland overlooking the River Thames stands Orleans House Gallery. Named after its most famous resident, Louis Phillippe, Duc D'Orleans who lived there in exile between 1813-15; Orleans House was originally built in 1710 for James Johnston, Secretary of State for Scotland. The stunning baroque Octagon Room was built by architect James Gibbs in 1720.
After two centuries of private ownership, Orleans House was demolished in 1926. The outbuildings and Octagon Room were saved by Mrs Nellie Ionides and were converted into an art gallery in 1972. The Stables Gallery was opened in 1994. Since then, the gallery has established a reputation for its innovative exhibition and education programme, attracting over 56,000 visitors a year.
Orleans House Gallery states a changing display of temporary exhibitions, ranging from historical exhibitions using works from the permanent collection through to contemporary exhibitions of painting, crafts and ceramics.
Each main gallery exhibition is complemented by In Focus, featuring a changing themed display of works from the permanent collection.
The Stables Gallery is housed in evocative 19th century stables buildings and stages approximately seven contemporary and community exhibitions a year.
Visitors of all ages can try out their own artistic talents in a pre-booked workshop, or to soak up more history, Marble Hill Park and Ham House are nearby. Finish off with a coffee at Karmarama Café (Wednesdays to Sundays) in the North Stables at the rear of the Gallery. All of these amenities can be easily reached from London and the South East by road, rail, or even by boat.
Venue Type:
Museum, Gallery, Historic house or home, Garden, parklands or rural site, Artist studio or collective
Orleans House Gallery
Riverside
Twickenham, Middlesex
Greater London
TW1 3DJ
England
Website
Telephone
020 8831 6000
Fax
020 8744 0501
Orleans House Gallery looks after the prestigious Richmond Borough Art Collection. The collection of over 2,400 paintings, watercolours, drawings, prints, photographs and objects primarily comprises local topographical views of the Twickenham and Richmond riverside, dating from the late eighteenth century to the present day.
The core of the collection, comprising almost 467 works, was founded on the death of Mrs Nellie Ionides in 1962. Since then, the Ionides Collection has been expanded by subsequent gifts, purchases and bequests, notably the Paton Collection of 1,200 works left to the gallery in 1994 and the recently gifted Gill Collection of 61 local views. The gallery also houses works and personal effects relating to the nineteenth century explorer Sir Richard Burton, who is buried in nearby Mortlake.
Works from the collection are regularly incorporated into the exhibition programme and are featured in the changing In Focus display. Works from the collection can also be seen at the Museum of Richmond and Old Town Hall.
Researchers are welcome to view works from the collection by prior appointment. Please address all corresondence and queries to the curator Mark De Novellis - m.denovellis@richmond.gov.uk.
Collection details
Archives, Costume and Textiles, Fine Art, Photography
Key artists and exhibits
- The collection is strong on 18th and 19th century English topographical views. Highlights include an early from from Richmond Hill by Leonard Knyff and the earliest surviving view of the Twickenham riverside by Peter Tillemans. Other eighteenth century artists include Samuel Scott, Thomas Rowlandson, Pieter Andreas Rysbrack and landscapes by William Marlow. Nineteenth century artists include Richmond painter George Hilditch, Henry Pether, Jean Baptiste Camille Corot and Frederick Leighton.
Collections services
- General guide to collections available
- Object identification and/or written enquiry service
- Public access available to collections information
- Specialist publications on collections available
- Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Orleans House Gallery
Riverside
Twickenham, Middlesex
Greater London
TW1 3DJ
England
Website
Telephone
020 8831 6000
Fax
020 8744 0501
Orleans House Gallery
Riverside
Twickenham, Middlesex
Greater London
TW1 3DJ
England
Website
Telephone
020 8831 6000
Fax
020 8744 0501
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