20 unmissable paintings in London
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.
18. 'The Laughing Cavalier' by Frans Hals
The Laughing Cavalier, 1624, by Frans Hals - © by kind permission of the Trustees of the Wallace Collection
Displaying more of a saucy smirk than a laugh and portraying an unknown Dutch nobleman rather than a cavalier, Hals’ portrait is a virtuoso demonstration of flourishing brushwork in his depiction of the sitter’s sumptuous outfit. It’s also the archetypal portrait where the eyes appear to follow you round the room.
See 'The Laughing Cavalier' by Frans Hals at Wallace Collection.
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