London Art Week 2017: A guide to the capital's biggest celebration of art

London is one of the art capitals of the world. There are galleries on every corner, big and small, housing some of art history’s most important works.

But it’s also home to one of the most thriving art markets in the world, with auction houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s regularly making headlines with major sales of big names.

London Art Week kicks off this week, running from June 30 to July 7, paying tribute to the capital as the place to be for art enthusiasts and collectors. Visitors will flock from across the world as 40 distinguished galleries open their doors, offering the chance to see and buy rare and exciting works.

If the mere thought of London Art Week gets your art beating faster, read on for all you need to know about the seven-day extravaganza.

What is London Art Week?

It’s a massive celebration of gallery-based art from antiquity to the 20th century. Frieze might be the place to be for contemporary art lovers, but if you’re looking for something with a bit more vintage, don’t miss what’s on offer here.

What’s happening?

There will be an array of special exhibitions at galleries and auction houses, as well as plenty of talks and discussions. Throughout, you’ll be able to see art from across five millennia - and you’ll be able to buy some of it too. Check your bank balance first though - prices range from £200 to £5 million.

Who are some of the big names?

Exhibitions will include work by Turner, Rubens, Munch, Constable, Modigliani, Duchamp and Gaugin. It’s a bit of a manly list, but that’s art history for you.

What are some of the highlights?

One of the most exciting aspects of London Art Week will be their partnership with Slow Art Workshops, run by writer Susan Moore. These free workshops encourage people to look at art - but to really look at it.

Acknowledging that crowded exhibitions aren’t the best place to see art, it will allow visitors to get up close and personal with works, to illuminate their histories and how they were made, so the viewers leaves feeling they have learned something.

Three galleries - Benappi Fine Art, Tomasso Brothers and Trinity Fine Art - will launch during the week, and there are an array of exhibition highlights to make note of too.

At Ben Elwes Gallery, the work of one of America’s first female sculptors is on show. Patience Wright was a political agitator as well as a wax modeller, and two of her figures are on show here. It’s an extremely rare opportunity to see her work, as much of it was destroyed in a fire.

At Daniel Katz Gallery, The Romantics to Rodin will mark Rodin’s centenary with an exploration of 19th century sculpture in France.

Moretti Fine Art dedicate their entire exhibition space to surviving fragment of a rare Guido Reni painting commissioned by the wife of King Charles I, and Rountree Tryon will have an exhibition dedicated to great British sporting artists.

Where is it taking place?

The galleries are all around Mayfair, between Bond Street and Green Park tube station.

How do I get in?

Most of the events are free, but some need to be prebooked on the London Art Week website.

What if I want more than one week?

Good news - for the first time ever, there will be a second London Art Week in December, taking place in early December.

London Art Week runs from June 30 to July 7 at venues across Mayfair; londonartweek.co.uk