20 unmissable paintings in London

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Time Out's guide to must-see works of art in the city

Not only is London home to a vibrant and ever-changing contemporary art scene but it’s also the place to see some of the world’s greatest historical artworks. For a crash fine art primer Helen Sumpter rounds up the top 20 unmissable paintings in the permanent collections of London’s major museums and galleries.

11. 'Queen Elizabeth I' ('The Ditchley portrait') by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger

Queen Elizabeth I ('The Ditchley portrait'), circa 1592, by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger Queen Elizabeth I ('The Ditchley portrait'), circa 1592, by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger

Commissioned by the Queen’s Champion Sir Henry Lee, this lavish portrait of good Queen Bess shows her standing on a map of England with her feet near Ditchley, Lee’s home, to commemorate where he entertained her in order to regain her favour after his offence of living openly with his mistress.


See 'Queen Elizabeth I' ('The Ditchley portrait') by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger at the National Portrait Gallery.



Find your favourite unmissable painting

'A Bar at the Folies-Bergère' 'The Raphael Cartoons' 'Sunflowers' 'Girl at a Window' 'The Snail' 'The Arnolfini Portrait' 'The Fighting Temeraire' 'The Three Dancers' 'Adam and Eve' 'The Ambassadors' 'Queen Elizabeth I' ('The Ditchley portrait') 'The Lady of Shalott' 'The Great Wave' 'The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke' 'Nevermore' 'Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion' 'Metamorphosis of Narcissus' 'The Laughing Cavalier' 'The Linley Sisters' 'Madame de Pompadour'

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