Collection: Graves Gallery

Collection-level records:

• Collection overview (Cornucopia)

  Fine Art Collection

  A rich and varied collection of over 5,000 paintings, watercolours, prints, drawings, photographs and sculpture to illustrate British and European art from the 17th century to the present. The Modern British Collection is one of the most important in the country and includes works by Gwen John, Sir Stanley Spencer, David Bomberg, Henry Moore, Frank Auerbach and John Hoyland. European artists such as Cezanne and Bonnard are included in the European 20th Century collection. Also Dali, Miro, Picasso, Schiele, Toulouse-Lautrec and Vuillard, are represented by works on paper. The 18th and 19th centuries are seen in works by Thomas Gainsborough, JMW Turner, Tissot and the Pre-Raphaelite artists Burne-Jones, Rossetti and Millais. Old Master works by English, Spanish, Dutch and Italian 16th century painters include Jan Mytens, Morales, Ribera, Murillo, Proccaccini and Pittoni. Paintings from the 16th to the 19th century are on display at the Mappin Art Gallery, whilst the Graves Art Gallery shows the Modern Art, from the mid 19th to the late 20th century. Founding benefactions from John Newton Mappin (1800-1883), more works from his nephew Sir Frederick Thorpe Mappin (1821-1910) and Sir Wilson Mappin (d.1925) meant that by the late 1920s the catalogue had 473 works. 23 were lost in World War II. Mappin Art Gallery opened in 1887. A further benefaction from Alderman John George Graves (1866-1945) opened the Graves in 1934 and Graves gifts of works in 1929, 1935, 1937, 1942, 1945 and the J G Graves Charitable Trust gave more works. The Mappin Collection of mainly Victorian genre and historical paintings was broadened by the addition of Pre-Raphaelites, French 19th century painters of the Barbizon landscape school, British watercolours and drawings of 18th to 20th centuries and works by contemporary artists. In the 1930s to 1950s British and continental works of all periods were added including Turner, Matisse, Corot, Cezanne, and Sickert. The second half of the last century saw further additions of works by contemporary artists and prints of artists whose paintings were unaffordable such as etchings and aquatints by Goya. The Graves gift has Japanese colour woodcuts and these were augmented by Greek vase painting, Cycladic sculpture, Persian and Indian miniature painting and Chinese ceramics. Public artworks in the public spaces in the City include works by George Fullard, Paul Waplington, David Kemp, Hiliary Cartmel, Amber Hiscatt and Paul and Sue mason. Sadly the Acquisitions Fund has ceased and works now only enter the collections via bequest, gift or from the Contemporary Art Society. Modern British and European Collection is one of the most important in the country and includes works by Gwen John, Sir Stanley Spencer, David Bomberg, Henry Moore, Frank Auerbach and John Hoyland. European artists such as Cezanne and Bonnard are included in the European 20th Century collection. Also Dali, Miro, Picasso, Schiele, Toulouse-Lautrec and Vuillard, are represented by works on paper. Old Master works by English, Spanish, Dutch and Italian 16th century painters include Jan Mytens, Morales, Ribera, Murillo, Proccaccini and Pittoni. Public artworks in the public spaces in the City include works by George Fullard, Paul Waplington, David Kemp, Hiliary Cartmel, Amber Hiscott and Paul and Sue Mason.

  Source: Cornucopia

  Date: Not known, but before 2015

  Licence: CC BY-NC