When I'm in London there is one gallery that I find myself going back to again and again: The Courtauld Gallery.
在伦敦,有一家美术馆一直让我流连忘返:考陶尔德美术馆。
This is an exquisite art collection housed in one of the most beautiful and peaceful buildings in the city. Lining these walls is an internationally famous collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works. Nothing quite prepares you for the experience of seeing them for real. Trust me, I'm an actor.
Paintings such as this, Manet's A Bar at the Folies-Bergère, which is one of the Gallery's highlights. Its boldness and defiance rocked the Parisian art establishment of the time. And it's just as captivating now.
Walking through the galleries you feel that 19th century France is still alive here in the middle of London. Everywhere you look there are major works by Toulouse-Lautrec, Renoir, Seurat and Monet.
You can sit with Degas in a box at the Paris Opera and watch two dancers rehearsing. And then saunter over to sit with a pair of labourers cards, as seen through the eyes of Cezanne. This is one of his finest accomplishments which continues to fascinate art lovers the world over.
And then there's this piece which needs no introduction. One always assumes there are dozens of these self-portraits. In fact there are only two and this one is the most complex.
And here is one of my personal favorites. I wish I owned this painting I want to wake up with this painting, if you'll excuse me. I'd like to live with it. I don't know why but it moves me tremendously.
The Courtauld's collection encompasses paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture and decorative arts. It stretches from the early Renaissance all the way to 20th century works by Picasso, Modigliani and Frank Auerbach. But don't take my word for it, come and see for yourself.