We took the train to New Haven this weekend, to spend some time out of the city. We had a great time walking through the Yale campus and wandering through the cobblestone alleyways and tiny parks scattered throughout the town.
We also stopped by the Yale Center for British Art — which houses of the largest collections of British paintings, sculptures, drawings and manuscripts outside of the UK. Unfortunately, an entire floor was closed off and some of the galleries seemed to be put together quite randomly (a solo Damien Hirst piece stood out for all the wrong reasons on a wall filled with 19th-century portraits), but we did find some favorites, like Thomas Gainsborough and Richard Wilson’s landscape paintings and also George Stubbs’ handsome sporting prints.
What impressed us most about the center was its physical look and design. It was modern architecture at its best, built from matte steel and reflective glass, forming a cube-like structure that blended in perfectly with its quaint surroundings. The interior, meantime, featured large marble walls, paired with white oak and Belgian linen. The open concept allowed plenty of natural light to flow through the galleries, while also giving viewers space to walk and observe without feeling boxed in.
The building was designed by noted architect Louis I. Kahn, who designed the Yale University Art Gallery across the street. In 2005, it was awarded the American Institute of Architects’ 25 year award for “Architecture of Enduring Significance.” The jury said “It is one of the quietest expressions of a great building ever seen — so rewarding and exhilarating when you step inside. The materiality and the language of the wood, stainless steel, concrete, and natural linen is still a delight for the eye.”
We definitely agree.
