40 Objects, 40 Years
About the exhibition
Metal figure of a porcupine from Sigmund Freud’s collection. © Freud Museum London
In 2026, we are celebrating 40 years of the Freud Museum London and its extraordinary collection.
Our special exhibition, 40 Objects, 40 Years, reflects the diverse nature of the Museum’s collection. Sigmund Freud was an avid collector of antiquities, and many of the most precious items from his personal collection will be brought out of his study to be seen up close. Family treasures will also be on display: objects from the Freuds’ domestic and personal spaces which illustrate the house as a former family home, and items from long-term storage will be seen for the very first time.
To celebrate and unlock our unique collection, we have asked artists, writers, psychoanalysts, educators, and community members to reflect on one of these fascinating objects. Each contributor has explored their chosen object’s past and reflected on what it means to them personally. Our contributors include Alain de Botton, Esther Freud, Salman Akhtar, Rabbi Baroness Julia Neuberger, and more, with even more names to be announced this Autumn.
So, join us in celebrating the Museum and all the hidden gems of its collection!
Please note, 40 Objects, 40 Years will be displayed on the first floor of the Museum and as such, we regret that there will currently be no step-free access to the exhibition. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused.
