British Art

Art and Design Collection

This collection spans eight centuries, from a 14th century Gothic ivory to contemporary art.

The collection has been built up by gift, bequest and purchase, with the support of key donors (notably Charles Fairfax Murray, James Richardson Holliday and J. Leslie Wright) and grant funding.

Includes:

  • the finest collection of art by the Pre-Raphaelites and their followers anywhere in the world
  • an extensive collection by Birmingham-born landscape painter David Cox
  • holdings of British 18th and 19th century watercolours
  • late 19th century bronzes associated with the New Sculpture movement
  • non-figurative contemporary British 20th century paintings.

Please note: Objects from our collections are not always on public display. For information about current displays at each venue, please check the ‘What to See’ pages on our venue websites. If you are hoping to view a specific object, we recommend getting in touch with us before your visit. See the contact page for more details.

Image gallery

See some of the collection

  • Partially drawn portrait in chalk, on paper, of a woman looking to the right
  • Painting showing a stony-faced man and woman on a ship at sea, leaving the coast behind. The woman holds a small child in a shawl and shelters under an umbrella
  • Painting - a carriage and horses attempt to turn around on an icy mountain pass. A refuge can be seen in the distance but dark stormy snow clouds are above
  • Painting of a night scene with a crescent moon visible in clouds, a horse looks into the distance at a passing steam train
  • Painting of a road curving into the distance with a person on horseback in the distance, a stone tower is on the left, trees and greenery on the right.
  • Drawing of three heads in profile, all looking to the left. The head on the right is wearing armour and a helmet with wings on.
  • Painting of two young girls sitting in the countryside, the older girl's eyes are closed, she has a concertina on her lap, the younger girl faces away looking at a double rainbow in the sky
  • Abstract painting - a night view of trees and bushes lit by a half-moon seen high in the sky
  • An unfinshed painting except for the face and hands of a woman with long wavy hair
  • Painting - five children lean against a gate next to a tall tree looking into a field where a tiny bird can be seen rising vertically into a blue sky with wispy clouds
  • Painting of a Nativity scene, three kings and an angel visit the infant Christ to bring gifts
Religious painting of Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus resting, the mother feeds the baby, the father sleeps. A donkey looks over a partially fallen wall in the centre.

Art and Design Collection

Explore the Art and Design collection.

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