the Courtauld Institute
/ðə ˌkɔːtəʊld ˈɪnstɪtjuːt/
/ðə ˌkɔːrtəʊld ˈɪnstɪtuːt/
- an art gallery in Somerset House, London, especially famous for its collection of Impressionist paintings. Donations by Viscount Lee of Fareham (1868-1947) and Samuel Courtauld (1876-1947), the founder of a large textile company in Britain, led to the founding of the Institute. It is also part of London University, where people study the history of art and architecture.