Kenwood: History and Collections

Kenwood is best known for its outstanding collection of paintings, which includes world-famous works by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Hals. The exquisite villa in which this collection is housed was one of the major works of the architect Robert Adam, who remodelled it in the 1760s and 1770s. It has been home to many famous residents, including a Prime Minister, a Lord Chief Justice and a Russian Grand Duke, attracted – like visitors today – by Kenwood’s idyllic setting, rural yet close to central London.

Find out more about the story of Kenwood, its intriguing former inhabitants, and the collections housed within its walls.

Discover Kenwood’s History

History of Kenwood

Discover the history of Kenwood, from its 17th-century beginnings to the 21st-century restoration of its Georgian grandeur.
Dido Belle

Learn about the life of Dido Belle, who was the daughter of a formerly enslaved woman and a Royal Naval officer and was raised at Kenwood.
The Somerset case

The Somerset v Stewart ruling in 1772, made by Lord Mansfield of Kenwood, was a landmark in the progress towards the abolition of slavery in England.
Introduction to the Georgian Period

Read about the dramatic changes that took place in Britain during the Georgian period, when Kenwood was remodelled into the villa we see today.

Explore The Collections

Kenwood’s collection includes fine historic interiors, sculpture, furniture and jewellery. Most famous are the house’s internationally renowned paintings, which include works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Dyck, Gainsborough and Reynolds.

The collection of paintings has grown from an initial gift of 63 works. These were bequeathed in 1928 by Edward Cecil Guinness, 1st Earl of Iveagh, to evoke the atmosphere of an 18th-century gentleman’s house.

Explore highlights from the collection

THE IVEAGH BEQUEST

Kenwood’s internationally important collection of paintings was bequeathed by Lord Iveagh in 1927. Find out about the collection and the man behind it.
THE SUFFOLK COLLECTION

This fine collection of royal and family portraits spanning the 16th to the 19th centuries includes internationally important paintings by William Larkin.
SPOTLIGHT ON REYNOLDS

We explore the life and work of the great 18th-century portrait painter, Joshua Reynolds through his 17 paintings in the collection at Kenwood.
MINIATURES, JEWELLERY AND SHOE BUCKLES

Kenwood is home to three distinct collections of small, portable Georgian treasures that reveal the skills of 18th-century artists and craftspeople.
PICTURES OF INNOCENCE

Discover how, from the mid 18th century, new ideas about innocence, morality and family were reflected in the art of the Georgian age.

Take a closer look

Explore some of Kenwood’s best-known paintings in detail, and find out more about the artists, their subjects, and the artistic significance of these works.

Rembrandt's Self-Portrait with Two Circles

Learn about the historical and artistic significance of of one of the finest surviving Rembrandt self-portraits, and about the range of techniques he used.
THE GUITAR PLAYER

Discover the story of The Guitar Player, one of only 36 known paintings by Johannes Vermeer, on Google Arts and Culture.
OLD LONDON BRIDGE

Take an in-depth look at this masterpiece by Claude de Jongh, which provides a unique record of one of London’s most famous lost structures.
EMMA HAMILTON: ARTIST’S MUSE

Discover how George Romney’s portraits of Emma Hamilton, including The Spinstress, propelled its subject to fame.

More resources

Download a plan of Kenwood

Download these floor plans to explore in detail how the villa at Kenwood has been altered over time.
Why does Kenwood matter?

Learn why Kenwood and its collection are considered so significant.
Buy the guidebook

The official guidebook includes a full history and tour of Kenwood and an introduction to its collections.
Description of Kenwood

Discover more about the architecture of Kenwood House, designed by Robert Adam.
Research on Kenwood House

Learn how we know so much about Kenwood House and where we still have gaps in our knowledge.
Sources for Kenwood

Use this summary of primary and secondary sources in your own research into Kenwood's history.