(Credits: Courtauld Institute of Art)
On August 17th, the art world was gripped by the news of a fire at Somerset House in central London. The Renaissance complex, dating back to the 16th century, houses the Courtauld Gallery, and has done for decades. However, the fire which broke out on the premises caused a great deal of uncertainty about the condition of the art gallery.
Somerset House has always placed an emphasis on the arts, but it was only in relatively recent times that the foundation chose to showcase the visual arts in the Courtauld Gallery. Located in the North Wing of the complex, the Courtauld Institute was first established in 1932 and is particularly notable for its focus on impressionist works. Today, the gallery houses iconic paintings by the likes of Van Gogh, Cézanne, and Manet, among many others.
Fortunately, nobody was harmed during this weekend’s fire, which broke out in the building’s roof. The fate of the gallery’s artwork was initially thought to be under threat, but it has now been revealed that the fire has not caused any damage to the historic gallery, which underwent an extensive refurbishment back in 2021.
In fact, the Courtauld Gallery has already reopened its doors to the public following the fire. At current, the exact cause of the fire is unknown, but it took around 125 firefighters and 15 fire engines to tackle the blaze, with the ornate and historic design of the building providing some difficulties in combating the fire.
Keeley Foster, the assistant commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, released a statement following Saturday’s events, saying, “The fire was located in part of the building’s roof space. The age and design of the building proved a challenge for crews as they initially responded.”
Foster continued: “As a result, four of the Brigade’s aerial ladders, including a 64-metre turntable ladder, were deployed to support firefighters as they carried out a complex and technical response. This included creating fire breaks in the roof, which has now limited the spread of flames.”
Art fans have the quick response of the London Fire Brigade to thank for the preservation of these essential artworks, which will continue to be enjoyed by visitors for decades to come.
The level of damage caused by the fire will likely be revealed in the coming weeks as the London Fire Brigade concludes its investigations. Nevertheless, the fact that the fire did not affect the areas of the Courtauld Gallery should elicit a huge sigh of relief for art fans and historians alike. After all, the gallery’s impressive collection is vital to understanding the impressionist movement.
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