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The Freud Museum, at 20 Maresfield Gardens in Hampstead, was the home of Sigmund Freud and his family when they escaped Nazi annexation of Austria in 1938. It remained the family home until Anna Freud, the youngest daughter, died in 1982. The centrepiece of the museum is Freud's library and study, preserved just as it was during his lifetime. |
| It contains Freud's remarkable collection
of antiquities: Egyptian; Greek; Roman and Oriental. Almost two thousand
items fill cabinets and are ranged on every surface. There are rows of
ancient figures on the desk where Freud wrote until the early hours of
the morning. The walls are lined with shelves containing Freud's large
library of reference books.
The house is also filled with memories of his daughter, Anna, who lived there for 44 years and continued to develop her pioneering psychoanalytic work, especially with children. It was her wish that the house become a museum to honour her illustrious father. The museum is now being developed as a cultural and research center of outstanding value to the professional community. The Freud's were fortunate to be able to bring all their furniture and household effects to London: there were splendid Biedermeier chests, tables and cupboards, and a fine collection of 18th and 19th-century Austrian painted country furniture. |
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Undoubtedly the most famous piece of furniture in all the collection is Freud's psychoanalytic couch, on which all of Freud's patients reclined. The couch is remarkably comfortable and is covered with a richly coloured Iranian rug with chenille cushions piled on top. Other fine Oriental rugs, Heriz and Tabriz, cover the floor and tables. |
There is a shop well-stocked with books on the life and work of Sigmund Freud and books on contemporary psychoanalysis. Postcards and souvenirs are also available.
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Contacts:
20 Maresfield Gardens
London NW3 5SX
Tel: ++44 (0)20 7435 2002
Fax: ++44 (0)20 7431 5452
e-mail: info@freud.org.uk
Internet: http://www.freud.org.uk