1. Dulwich Picture Gallery
    Photograph: Laura Gallant for Time Out
  2. Dulwich Picture Gallery
    Photograph: Laura Gallant for Time Out
  3. Dulwich Picture Gallery
    Photograph: Laura Gallant for Time Out
  4. Dulwich Picture Gallery
    Photograph: Laura Gallant for Time Out
  5. Dulwich Picture Gallery
    Photograph: Laura Gallant for Time Out

Dulwich Picture Gallery

  • Art | Galleries
  • Dulwich
  • Recommended
Alex Sims
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Time Out says

What is it?

Lending weight to the idea that the best things come in small packages, this (relatively) bijou building is the oldest public art gallery in England. It began when two eighteenth century artists, Noël Desenfans and Sir Francis Bourgeois, were tasked by the King of Poland to form a Royal Collection from scratch. They devoted five years to the task, but in that time the King was forced to abdicate leaving the pair with a whole load of illustrious art on their hands. When Desenfans passed away, Bourgeois left the collection to his old school Dulwich College with the stipulation that the paintings should be for the ‘inspection of the public’ – and so Dulwich Picture Gallery was born. 

Nowadays, the beautiful building, which was designed and built by architect Sir John Soane and reflects the Jacobean style of the college buildings, holds bright galleries which house a brilliant collection including Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin and Gainsborough. It also puts on an excellent programme of temporary exhibitions as well as a rich programme of tours, lectures, after-hours events and kids activities. 

It has recently branched out with an annual pavilion commission, just to give the Serpentine a run for its money, and its temporary shows are more than worth a trip across town for.

Why go? 

This is England's oldest public art gallery and its permanent collection includes fine paintings by Gainsborough, Murillo and Van Dyck.

Don’t miss: 

Stand-out pieces include Rembrandt’s ‘Girl at a Window’, Rubens’‘Venus Mars and Cupid’ and de Gelder’s “Jacob's Dream’. 

When to visit:

Tue-Sun 10am-5pm; bank hol Mons 11am-5pm (last adm 4.30pm).

Ticketing info: 

Adults: £20, Concession: £10, Universal Credit: £1, under 18s: Free Under 30s: £10 - sign up at dpg.art/under30

Time Out tip: 

The gallery’s gardens are worth a visit just as much as everything inside. Peppered with exciting sculptures by artists including Yinka Shonibare and Li Li Ren, I think it’s an excellent place to spend a few hours on a sunny day. A new redevelopment plan should make them even more spectacular in 2025.

Check out the best art exhibitions in London right now and discover our guide to the very best things to do in London.

Details

Address
Gallery Rd
London
SE21 7AD
Transport:
Rail: West Dulwich
Price:
Adults: £20 Concession: £10, Universal Credit: £1, under 18s: Free Under 30s: £10 - sign up at dpg.art/under30
Opening hours:
Tue-Sun 10am-5pm; bank hol Mons 11am-5pm (last adm 4.30pm).
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What’s on

Wood Carving with Jade They

Spent too much time on your laptop lately? Get your hands properly busy at this woodcarving workshop at Dulwich Picture Gallery. Woodblock printmaking is one of the oldest forms of printmaking where knives and other tools are used to carve a design into the surface of a wooden block. It’s been used by all the greats from Katsushika Hokusai to Gauguin. Printmaker and illustrator Jade They will introduce guests to the woodcarving process and help them print their very own images inspired by the gallery’s Tirzah Garwood show to take home.   
  • Classes and workshops

Rachel Jones

Young painter Rachel Jones has become one of the most powerful voices in contemporary abstraction, using her hyper-colourful visual language – filled with references to mouths and teeth – to explore ideas of identity. We’ve reviewed her many times, and even had her as one of ‘Future of London Art’ stars back in 2023. And now, she’s going to be the first ever contemporary artist to have a solo show in Dulwich Picture Gallery’s main exhibition space.
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