The Courtauld Collection

In the week I saw the refurbished Courtauld Collection which by and large the art critics appreciated.

I was underwhelmed.

Matters were not helped as the taxi driver who took me there from Marylebone was one of those ‘miserable old gits’ who – when he was not stuck in a traffic jam when only the meter moved – was abusing fellow motorists.

I knew the famous pictures of the collection well – too well.

Edouard Manet’ The Bar at the Folies-Bergere; The Card Players by Paul Cezanne; the Van Gogh self-portrait.

The Russian collectors Stschukin and Morozov are rightly revered but Sam Courtauld – another textile magnate – had a wonderful eye for the post-impressionists and there are a couple of Degas and Gauguins to savour.

The Great Room which houses them did not need intense spotlights as well as the natural light from the roof. Nonetheless its a fine collection and worth the visit.