Museums and Galleries in Mayfair
Located near Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace, Mayfair is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods not only in London, but also in the world. The museums and galleries in this posh neighborhood reflect that tremendous wealth and class.
Handel House Museum
Mayfair was home to the composer George Frideric Handel between 1823 and 1859, nearly half of the great composer's life. The Handel House Museum presents Handel's life and music. The permanent collection includes a number of documents, including correspondence and musical scores in the composer's own hand, as well as a wealth of sculptures, paintings and musical instruments. Visitors to Handel House walk through the rooms in which Handel composed some of his most timeless work, such as the "Messiah" oratorio. Admission is £6 for adults and £2 for children, who enter free on Saturday and Sunday.
Royal Academy of the Arts
Located nearby is the magisterial Royal Academy of the Arts. Founded in 1768, this institution was originally conceived as England's national art school. The Royal Academy also features an extensive collection of paintings, sculpture and other arts that is open to the public. This collection includes mostly works by British artists, such as John Constable and David Hockney. It also includes England's only work by Michelangelo, the "Taddei Tondo." Admission is £14 for adults, £4 for teenagers and £3 for other children.
Mayfair galleries
In addition to its grand museums, Mayfair is home to a wealth of art galleries specializing in a wide range of pieces. The Riyahi Gallery, for example, focuses on works from the Islamic world from ancient times to the 19th century. One the other hand, Waterhouse & Dodd focuses on more modern Western works, displaying Impressionist, Modernist and contemporary works in its space. Visitors who want to see the trends in modern British art should visit the James Hyman Gallery, which specializes in that genre.
Mayfair is quite a fancy neighborhood, and its collection of world-class museums underscores that distinction. Visitors who wish to take a step into a world of class are not disappointed by Mayfair's offerings.