Bill Nighy explores The Courtauld Gallery (2023)

The Courtauld Gallery is home to one of the world's greatest art collections, located in the magnificent historical setting of Somerset House in Central London.
Join actor and friend of The Courtauld Gallery, Bill Nighy, as he returns to the Gallery following its three year refurbishment, designed by Stirling Prize-winning architects Witherford Watson Mann, and discover our world-renowned collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces.
Highlights on display include the world-famous A Bar at the Folies Bergère by Édouard Manet, Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear by Vincent van Gogh, the most significant collection of works by Paul Cézanne in the UK and works by Degas, Gauguin, Monet, Seurat and more.
The Courtauld Gallery is open daily, 10am - 6pm (last entry 5:15pm).
Tickets from £10.
Friends go free.
courtauld.ac.uk/gallery

[@janewatkins9801]

35 years ago I saw Bill Nighy walking towards me on Fifth Avenue. I smiled at him and he returned my smile as he passed. For me it was a magical moment. An English tourist on holiday in New York, I was five months pregnant, and his smile caught me by surprise. I don't expect he remembers, there's no reason why he should, yet his smile made my day. So glad he has had such a wonderful career. I enjoyed this video very much too. The Manet painting with the barmaid at the end is intriguing. Like many women, it's possible she's thinking about five things at once 😊.

[@SeanOHanlon]

Funny coincidence. I met him ever so briefly while I was in New York on holiday about 15 years ago. He was every bit as lovely as you would imagine.

[@philipmcbride1275]

Bill is such a treasure!

[@MTMF.london]

I'll have cake and tea with Bill Nighy any time, any day. It doesn't have to be at the Courtauld - heck, I'll even pay!

[@christinahand973]

If this ever happens for you please extend an invite. An hour’s tea and conversation with this man would be the highlight of my year!

[@janandrews1324]

I'd even serve the tea x

[@jaimeochoa7256]

You better!

[@juliapertusini8050]

Me too ❤

[@vivienneflint6521]

A wonderful advertisement for the gallery by a true English gentleman. So enjoyable. I will definitely make time to visit the next time I am in London.

[@victoriabroyles6467]

Perfect presenter - the wonderful Bill Nighy

[@Hornbill2025]

"I'm slowly tempted to accept that offer." Having tea and a good conversation with Bill Nighy about literature, history, or something else. Will be a fantastic memory and story to tell some day 😊

[@joecleveland2338]

I went to the Courtauld today (April 13, 2024) and spent three wonderful intimate hours with incredible works of art.

[@russellhayton6378]

That staircase is a work of art

[@gigibenea3529]

The blue 🔵 is amazing

[@DJKSB58]

The impeccably dressed elegant Bill Nighy walking up that exquisite staircase took my breath away ! Poetry in motion

[@chrishyde1216]

Can we have more Bill presenting please. Just anything. And there's a strong chance you will bump into Bill, as he's often out and about. I saw him once sitting outside a cafe in central London, not hidden away but relaxing there out the front of a cafe. Gave me a nice friendly smile. I will be visiting the Courtauld, because of Bill.

[@lorawaring883]

I greatly enjoyed his pleasure in the art. Could he do more, please?

[@jeanwillis7774]

I’ve been to the Courtauld Gallery in London UK years ago and Bill is right,it’s stunning I love the Degas and Manet too…thanks for the memory Bill ♥️🇨🇦

[@NigelDeForrest-Pearce-cv6ek]

Brilliant and Beautiful!!!!

[@andrewberry6194]

The Courtauld is one of the world’s treasures, I first visited many years ago whilst a student at the old Senate House home of the Institute of Education and couldn’t believe it. It’s old home was much smaller and hardly advertised but amazing. So pleased it has a home worthy of its treasures.

[@r8chlletters]

What a wonderful moment with Bill 🤍

[@simongardner1835]

The inimitable Mr Nighy on the incomparable Courtauld Gallery. "It doesn't get any better then this!"

[@lesleymcshanemitchell9651]

Love this museum And To Have BILL NYE Narrator the icing on the cake

[@oscarfeatherstone6688]

Nighy. Nye is someone rather different.

[@richardbaoh1952]

I was introduced to Bill N late in my life 5 - 6 years ago and I am stuck to Bill now to All his movies. Lovely and amazing actor. Fab watching Bill. Keep coming with your movies mate…..

[@melhoad5221]

I love art but l love Bill Nighy even more ❤❤❤

[@rangerjaxmaxmay7742]

Absolutely.

[@jeannedeutrom8373]

Hear! Hear!❤️

[@DJKSB58]

The ever so elegant, impeccably dressed Bill Nighy walking up that magnificent staircase is in itself a “work of art”

[@jenniferclyde8911]

You could have Bill Nighy walking through literally anything, describing it, and I’d watch. So this was almost too much. And as an ad? Yeah I’m going to the fricking Courtauld the next time I can

[@edwardb7811]

The Great Room at the Courtauld Gallery is probably my favorite room anywhere in the world.

[@irwinsaltzman979]

Mr. Nighy was fabulous in the Dr. Who VAn Gogh episode.

[@SeanOHanlon]

Yes... 👏👏👏

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

my thought wqs that This was the whole reason Doctor Who existed. aslo fun fact, they both play elder vampires in Underworld:)

[@paulaolson8956]

I burst into tears seeing van Gogh’s self portrait. I got up close and personal, like my nose almost touching the painting.

[@ericericson3535]

He has that ability, which all British actors have, to act in dramatic and comedic works with the same level of excellence.

[@PS-vm3we]

I saw the fabulous Bill Nighy in a bookshop nine years ago and am still starstruck. Might visit the Courtauld Gallery just to honour him.

[@barbaram5214]

I’ve heard of The Courtauld but never knew much about it. Next trip to London in December, I’ll visit it!

[@lynneperry7454]

I took my husband there some years back when we were in the UK. I knew what a fabulous great awaited us and wasn’t at all disappointed.

[@CaptCanuck4444]

I'd happily watch Bill Nighy riff like this at feature film length.

[@BillPeschel]

I can still hear Bill saying, "Let's get p----- and watch p---" from "Love, Actually." Beautiful gallery. Now on my "must-see" list for September '24.

[@kingman.mp4]

I've already "liked" this once. If I could, I'd "like" it again.

[@cristinalacoste2062]

He's the best!

[@tanyamccann1747]

Thanks, Bill

[@michaelw7438]

The incomparable Bill Nighy - more than a national treasure 😻

[@jeannedeutrom8373]

ABSOLUTELY!❤️

[@AyoHues]

Thank you for the nudge. 🙏🏽 Well overdue another visit - I shall go in the next week or so. The best thing about this very appealling advert is that I can send it to my mates and my kids, all of whom will pay much more attention to Bill Nighy than they ever will to me! 😆

[@donnarogers7732]

I'm grateful to Mr Night for showing us this gallery. It's the only way I will ever be able to catch a glimpse of beautiful are Work from centuries past. So much in my life I've Missed. Too late to travel. Thank you. 🇺🇲🙏🇬🇧

[@philipmurphy2]

Really enjoying my first experience of The Courtauld on YT today

[@msmacmac1000]

I am heading for London on Monday. Meet me at the Courtauld, Ms Nighy❤

[@shankarbalakrishnan2360]

❤❤🎉🎉 art stays with u

[@sandrayuen9497]

How wonderful! Now on my bucket list. Thank you Bill! 😊

[@JohnVeltheer]

legend

[@lurajur7075]

I love Courtauld Gallery, and the more I see of him I love Bill Nighy

[@nick28476]

you don't get a drier sense of humour than Bill's. Superb!

[@RyanJohnsonD]

Sold. Subscribed! No cake needed. :)

[@belshah]

Wonderful. Thank you

[@joannascott832]

Brilliant ❤! I used to come every week when I lived in London to 'look at' or observe 'The Bar at the Folies Bergere' for an essay on female subjects in paintings ❤🖌🎨🖼 ❤.

[@priscidali]

Love that painting! I've wanting to go back and see it.

[@chrissyward5539]

Went last August for the Munch exhibit. What a great collection in a historical space.

[@dollimelaine]

the Courtauld is my favorite too!

[@johnblackmore4772]

Fantastic looking gallery. What a beautiful space. I'm looking forward to visiting as soon as I'm up that way again.

[@mariaroca5762]

Love, love this man

[@vasileioskavros3798]

The "bestest" gallery I've ever seen in my life 😍❤😮

[@DelphiaStrickland]

Bill Nighy: If I'm here, I'll buy you cake. Me, in the US: *buys any plane ticket available to get me there*

[@kbstabs5982]

I'm from London but have lived in Canada for many years. I used to travel back a lot on business and always hoped to find the time to make a quick visit to see the wonderful Modigliani painting.

[@dustyeyer3573]

That guy is the best😂

[@us-Bahn]

Bill, my legs are tired. Let’s go for a leisurely caf and afterwards a long dawdle in a used book shop.

[@andrewharris1837]

Nighy could talk the phonebook and it would be fascinating 😅

[@FreshGrey-pm4vw]

I adore Bill in Page Eight in which he plays an English spy (and the other 2 parts). If you havent seen this, you need to! Its fantastic.

[@TravelStyleNews]

Im heanding there when I can, Thanks

[@ShakilaTaranumMaan]

I'll buy cake and tea dear Bill

[@tomkent4656]

I love the Courtauld.

[@letstalkbigfootbylindanewt36]

LOVED IT ALL.

[@danielwilliams8397]

Just wonderful!

[@caroledrury1411]

Amazing! I’ll fly over tomorrow!

[@floravesterberg646]

Brilliant xx

[@cristinavianna7871]

And lovely scones

[@user-sk1jj6zg5w]

We know Bill Nighy really loves the Modigliani in the corner.

[@owennovenski4794]

Cheers

[@theartbroadcast]

This is it

[@sanyuktashrestha]

🤩🤩🤩

[@ErnieCG]

Good

[@gregorystrong2580]

The music fits the narrative perfectly. What is the name of the composition?

[@christopherlawley1842]

Anitra's Dance from the Peer Gynt suite by Grieg .

[@giftykoufie2767]

humorous ending 😂

[@jeanlefranc3817]

Wonderful. I just pray that climate activists are never let loose in such an incredible collection of art.

[@HomerSlated]

OK I'm going just for the cake.

[@johnlawrence2757]

I’m more a Wallace man myself. They got Rembrandts and Canalettos. An it’s free

[@splodge5714]

I love the Wallace collection, visit regularly. And love the Courtauld but less frequent.😊

[@genevievedolan1288]

How much is the entrance fee for the Courtauld? Anyone know? (Some of my favorite paintings are there, so I am sure it’s worth it)

[@splodge5714]

£10.

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

Reminds menof the doctor who scene.

[@lenakarlova7664]

me too!

[@markbriggs5531]

Forgive my ignorance but would anyone be kind enough to enlighten me as to the music composer and piece. My dearly departed father used to play this on the record player on a Sunday after a round of golf. It brings back fond memories.

[@ballskin]

Edvard Grieg - Anitra's Dance

[@markbriggs5531]

​@@ballskinThank you so much for your kind response. I shall enjoy this very much.

[@user-df9vc3jp2b]

You have a top actor like Bill Nighy... why do you then need the music playing? There is this ever-increasing to fill everything on television and video with music, at times drowning out the person speaking. Why do directors never consider how powerful silence can be?

[@prithvirajbasu4196]

This video was made a week after I went there haha 😂

[@user-nc2kz2mn5v]

Somerset House is that where they used to house the birth and marriage certificates?

[@splodge5714]

Yes.

[@user-nc2kz2mn5v]

@@splodge5714 Thank you.

[@MargAbbottYou]

Love Bill Nighy here, and the Courtauld looks gorgeous - but the music is too loud! (And that's coming from a musician/composer!!!) 😂

[@incognito3620]

Hello! This was not a video about Bill Nighy! These paintings were a direct rejection of the classical style. They are rough, sometimes I’ll conceived. Other times applications seemed rough and amateurish. It these artists did not represent the “ ideal”. They were interpreting life as they saw it, not as an academic representation. It was a time of daring exploration. Mr. Nighy alert us to them but never delves into their creations nor their creators. Most of us. Art lovers know about these painters and the works. Sadly this was an advert for the museum. Did he state where the Courtald is. What city?

[@splodge5714]

The Courtald gallery had been closed 3 years for redevelopment. A wonderful 3 minute ad from Mr Nighy. It's in Somerset House, London.

[@susanparsons9365]

What is wrong with his hands?

[@jward8868]

It’s a great pity about the unnecessary music which detracts from the narrative. Why ?

[@Demetri450]

Islamic metalwork! 😂 Is anything in their musuems specifically British?

[@ballskin]

Yup, it's just simpletons don't like to pay attention to British history.

[@splodge5714]

🥱

[@cindyoverall8139]

Degas was never an Impressionist. The School of Naturalism were much finer painters. People love the Impressionists because there is no challenge. They were day painters who daubed. Renoir was the worst, as the most insipid of all.

[@splodge5714]

Although he called himself a realist he was one of the founders of Impressionism and exhibited his work in 7 of the 8 Impressionist exhibitions.