Origins and History of the Gallery
The Shipley Art Gallery is located in Gateshead, United Kingdom. Its foundation traces back to a bequest from Joseph Ainsley Davidson Shipley, a local solicitor and collector. He intended to donate 2,500 paintings and a significant sum of his wealth to the City of Newcastle. However, Newcastle declined this bequest. Nearby Gateshead took the initiative instead, leading to the establishment of the gallery in 1917. The institution opened its doors with an initial collection of 504 paintings bequeathed by Shipley.
The building was designed by local architect Arthur Stockwell. Since its opening, the institution has expanded its holdings and focus. In 1998, the gallery's art collections were designated as being of national importance. This recognition reflects the historical weight of the acquisitions held within the Shipley Art Gallery.
Dutch and Flemish Art Collections
The gallery holds a significant assembly of 16th and 17th century Dutch and Flemish paintings. This collection is recognized for its strength in Northern European traditions, featuring works that reflect the technical precision of the period. The holdings include pieces by Joachim Wtewael and Jan van der Heyden, alongside works by Abraham Janssens and Benjamin Cuyp. These paintings represent a specific era of European art history preserved within the Shipley Art Gallery.
The selection of artists extends to Jacob Grimmer and Hans Shaufelein. These works contribute to a specialized grouping of Northern European art that remains a central component of the institution's permanent holdings. The presence of these artists allows for a focused study of the stylistic developments occurring in the Low Countries during the 1600s.
- Landscape, about 1650 - Jan Both
- Wooded Landscape, 1690 - Jan van der Heyden
- Still life with Shellfish and Eggs, 1630 - Clara Peeters
British and Victorian Art Collections
The gallery holds an important collection of Victorian paintings. These works are primarily from the 19th century and represent a significant portion of the British holdings. The selection focuses on landscapes, genre subjects, and portraits, reflecting the varied interests of the period's practitioners.
Several specific works define the breadth of this collection. These include Redgrave’s The Poor Teacher and Atkinson Grimshaw’s Whistlerian Greenwich – Half Tide. The presence of these pieces allows for a study of how British artists approached both social themes and atmospheric light during the 1800s.
- The Poor Teacher, Redgrave
- Whistlerian Greenwich – Half Tide, Atkinson Grimshaw
Craft and Design Collections
The Shipley Art Gallery is the North East's leading gallery of design and contemporary craft. This focus began in 1977, the same year the institution started collecting contemporary art made in Britain. The holdings encompass a wide range of materials, including ceramics, wood, metal, glass, textiles, and furniture.
A significant portion of the collection is held within the Henry Rothschild Study Centre. This center features more than 330 works of 20th century craft and design, amassed by Henry Rothschild between the 1940s and 2006. Since 1994, the Henry Rothschild collection of studio ceramics has been on long-term loan to the gallery.
