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Description: | The fine art collections comprise watercolours (2647), oil paintings (1220) and prints (1850).
The 18th and 19th century watercolour paintings and drawings by British artists are regionally important and represent works by most major artists (but generally not the Pre-Raphaelites). It was mainly acquired through a series of bequests and prudent purchases in the 1920s and 1930s.
The Liverpool School produced a large number of significant artists in the period 1810 - 1910 and their works are well represented in the collection (including a major loan collection). The gallery has also developed a nationally important collection of the work of Philip Wilson Steer who was born in Birkenhead in 1860. The collection includes a major bequest from the artist's nephew. The work of other local historic and contemporary painters is included in the collection and associated material evidence of societies such as the Royal Cambrian Academy and Wirral Society of Arts.
British paintings range from minor works to those of major artists and the earliest dates from c1670. Included are works by war artists, particularly Thomas Burke and Albert Richards and also contemporary paintings. Important works have been acquired through the Contemporary Art Society and the National Art Collections Fund. There is also a miscellaneous group of foreign works.
The print collections include several large and important collections (John Finnie, Seymour Haden, Watson bequest and the Symes Bromoils). British printmaking of the first half of the 20th century is the main strength, although there is a developing collection of contemporary prints, acquired by purchase and commission. There is also a small collection of sculpture. | Subjects: | Watercolours Sculpture Paintings Fine Art Prints Drawings Western European | Source: | Cornucopia - Discovering UK Collections | Address: | Slatey Road
Birkenhead,
L43 4UE | FAX: | 0151 670 0253 | Telephone: | 0151 652 4177 | Identifier: | oai:www.cornucopia.org.uk:1778 | Go to resource |
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