This place is great--it was meant to evoke a long gallery in an English country house (one in which many generations of family portraits are displayed). The many oil paintings here are placed densely on the wall from floor to ceiling, and the feeling is of abundance and a bit of visual overload--in a good way.

The Long Gallery on the 4th floor is definitely a highlight but the entirety of the Yale Center for British Art is worth seeing. A lovely thing about it is that it is absolutely free. I went on a visit there with a group of friends, one of whom had thoughtfully arranged for a tour, and we spent over an hour with a docent--which was also absolutely free.

Fun Fact

Some fun facts: this museum houses the largest collection of British art to be found outside of the United Kingdom. The orginal collection was a gift from Paul Mellon, a Yale alum, who donated the art, an endowment for its upkeep, and the funds to build the museum. The building was designed by Louis I. Kahn, who used natural materials (travertine marble, white oak, and Belgian linen). The structure's skylights let in the daylight--it's illuminated electrically only when necessary in the evening or on excessively cloudy days. Mr. Mellon wisely did not name this institution after himself--realizing that other collectors would therefore be more likely to donate. (He learned this lesson from his father, Andrew Mellon, who had donated his art collection and sufficient funds to establish the National Gallery of Art in Washingtown DC. Art collection and philanthropy seem to have run in the family.)

Do Not Miss

Don't miss the animal pictures! There's an enchanting zebra by George Stubbs, as well as a rather alarming but fascinating lion attacking a horse. (Unsurprisingly in a collection of Britsh art, there are many, many dogs as well, and many horses not in dire peril.)

Inside Tip

Definitely book a tour with the docent, which is lovely, and absolutely free.

Hours:

Closed Mondays

10am to 5pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays

11am to 5pm Sundays

10am to 8pm Thursdays

Address: 1080 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT

Telephone: (203) 432-2800

Email: ycba.info@yale.edu

Website:

https://britishart.yale.edu/

About Me

Laura LaVelle is Wonder Shuffle's Culture Editor. A fan of the great indoors, you can find her in her native NYC, her home in Connecticut, or at a concert, play, library, bookstore, or museum just about anywhere in the world.