Yale Center for British Art, New Haven (must see)

A must see stop on any walking tour of New Haven is the Yale center for British Art. This museum has the largest collection of British art outside of the United Kingdom. Visitors can find paintings, sculptures, drawings and rare books and manuscripts on permanent display.

Philanthropist Paul Mellon gifted his collection of British art and an endowment to Yale University in 1966. This was the basis for the Yale Center for the art museum. The university chose to have the new building constructed close to the Yale University Art Gallery on Chapel Street near the Yale School of Art.

Architect Louis Kahn designed the building in a Modern architectural style utilizing glass and steel. The building is encased in glass, including skylights, because the architect wanted to allow in as much natural light as possible. The interior is a combination of natural materials like marble, oak and linen.

There are currently about 2,000 works on display. Some artists featured in the Yale Center for British Art include Thomas Gainsborough, George Stubbs, Joseph Wright, John Constable, William Blake and John Wootton. The museum also features works from non-British artists who spent significant time in the United Kingdom. Some of these artists include Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck and James McNeill Whistler.

The museum typically offers free, docent-led tours to the public that cover both the art within the building and the architecture of the building itself. Visitors are also welcome to take part in special programming that is offered on a rotating basis throughout the year.

Why You Should Visit:
- To see the largest collection of British art outside of Great Britain
- To pick up a souvenir at the museum shop

Tips:
The Yale Center for British Art recommends that those who plan to visit this museum and the Yale University Art Gallery on the same day call both places in advance to ensure that docents are available for tours.