Fine Arts
Historic background to collections
In comparison to similar cities, the fine art collection in Stoke-on-Trent was late in developing. The
major impetus for developing an art collection happened in 1926, when Dr. John Russell gave his
collection of impressionistic paintings to the City on condition that it built an Art Gallery. The
Russell Art Gallery opened in 1927 in two rooms adjoining Hanley Museum
. Subsequently,
Hanley became the centre for temporary art exhibitions in the Potteries. During the later years of
the twentieth century, the City Museum & Art Gallery established itself as a key regional arts
venue with ‘Glory of the Garden’ funding.
Its lively programme of exhibitions and
residencies continues to influence
contemporary arts collecting.
Fine art, textiles and other non ceramic decorative art holdings are defined by the generosity of
individual donors for example Dr. W. D Wilkins’ bequest of prints, jades and ivories in 1964. A key costume collection is Lady Bagot’s gift of over 1000 items of clothes, accessories and jewellery.
Summary
Initially developing in a fragmentary fashion, the arts collections have established an overall sense
of coherence and direction through a more interdisciplinary, thematic approach. Within the
collection as a whole are smaller collections and individual works of national importance. There is
a strong emphasis on supporting and interpreting contemporary practitioners through collecting
and making links with historical traditions.
Existing strengths:
Contemporary art and craft: The nationally significant Contemporary Art Society Special
Collection has developed since 1999 through lottery funding from Arts Council England. It
focuses o
n groundbreaking artists whose work challenges traditional divisions between art
and craft with relevance to existing collection strengths. It includes
examples by Grayson Perry, Gavin Turk and Jacqui Poncelet.
20th century british painting: Key movements and influences are
represented in this area:
French influenced early twentieth century painting including Slade
School artists and the Scottish Colourists.
Urban and industrial painting including the Camden Town School
British Surrealists from Conroy Maddox to Eileen Agar.
Works given by the War Artists’ Advisory Committee.
Prints:
One of the key areas of the collection, the prints provide a wider international and
historical perspective to the twentieth century British paintings. The print collection covers
European and Japanese printmakers from the sixteenth century to the present day. A
particular highlight is the complete series of Francisco de Goya’s ‘Los Proverbos’. Areas
well represented include:
Nineteenth century French prints including works by Eduard Manet, Toulouse Lautrec
and Degas
Nineteenth century Japanese woodcuts
British twentieth century prints including works by Henry Moore, Laura Knight, Eric Gill
and James Whistler
Local artists & designers: Historical and contemporary work by local, national and
international artists connected with North Staffordshire and its related industries. There is a
strong collection of pictures by pottery designers such as Grete Marks and Gordon Forsyth.
Contemporary artists include Terry Shave and Stephen Boyd.
Local scenes by visiting artists: Depictions of the changing local landscape by visiting
artists from the eighteenth century to the present day. Examples include works by John
Constable, Michael Aryton and Julian Trevelyan.
Watercolours & drawings:
The collection charts the development of British watercolour painting from the 18th century
to the present day. It includes works by JMW Turner, Samuel Palmer, Francis Towne and
David Jones.
Designs and illustrations:
This area includes designs linked to the ceramics collection such as the Louis Solon
drawings collection. The major collection of architectural drawings by Sir Charles Barry
and others of the Trentham Hall Estate, Staffordshire, is of national significance.
Sculpture:
This collection is small and mainly late nineteenth and early twentieth century
British. It contains a selection of major pieces including Rodin’s ‘Eternal Spring’, Alfred
Gilbert’s ‘Comedy and Tragedy’ and portrait busts by Jacob Epstein.
