Origins and History of Graves Art Gallery
The Graves Art Gallery was established through the financial support and a bequest from local businessman John George Graves (1866-1945). Following this endowment, the gallery opened to the public in July 1934. Since its opening, the venue has been a feature of the city's cultural life. It is situated above Sheffield's Central Library.
The institution has undergone various administrative changes over the decades. As of 2021, the Graves Art Gallery has been part of the Sheffield Museums Trust. The building itself is a Grade II listed structure, reflecting the architectural standards of the 1930s when it was constructed.
The Art Deco Library Building
The gallery occupies the third floor of Sheffield's Central Library. This Art Deco structure serves as the architectural setting for the collection. The building is a Grade II listed building, and its significance is further recognized by its Grade II* listing. Its design reflects the aesthetic priorities of the 1930s, when the building was constructed.
Access to the gallery requires navigating the library's interior. Visitors can reach the third floor via a lift located in the library foyer or by using the three flights of stairs leading from the main library level. While the gallery itself is step-free, the transition from street level to the library foyer involves a few steps. For those with limited mobility, step-free access is available through the Arundel Gate entrance, located behind the bus stop opposite the Adsetts Centre.
The building's layout and its integration with the library provide a specific environment for the works on display. The gallery is situated directly across from the Millennium Gallery. Currently, the collection is scheduled to be moved to an interim base as the building undergoes refurbishment, with a planned move to a temporary space in the Heart of the City next year.
Major Art Collections and Departments
The holdings at Graves Art Gallery span several movements and mediums. The collection includes Impressionist and European works by Paul Cézanne, Camille Pissarro, and Egon Schiele. The Modern British collection features the work of Gwen John, Stanley Spencer, David Bomberg, Henry Moore, John Hoyland, and Frank Auerbach. Contemporary works are represented by artists such as Helen Chadwick, Alison Wilding, Suputa Biswas, and Isaac Julien.
The decorative arts department contains significant pottery from several regional manufacturers, including Rockingham, Pinxton, Worcester, Derby, Wedgwood, and Leeds. Alongside these ceramics, the metalwork collection documents the industrial history of Sheffield. The gallery also holds a specialized selection of small-scale works, including an etching and 67 tiny ink drawings by Phlegm.
Masterpieces of the Collection
The collection spans several centuries, moving from the formal portraiture of the 18th century to the developments of the modern era. Works by Gainsborough and Turner are held here, representing significant periods of British art history. These pieces sit alongside the works of the Pre-Raphaelites, contributing to a diverse visual record of European and British art from the 16th century to the present.
Modern and contemporary movements are represented through works by Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. The gallery also holds paintings by Goya and Lucian Freud. These artists provide a perspective on the evolution of figurative representation and stylistic shifts throughout the last few centuries.
- Peasant Women Planting Stakes, 1891 - Camille Pissarro
- The Infant Christ Asleep on the Cross - Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
- The Death of Marshal Ney, 1815 - Jean-Léon Gérôme
- The Hours - Edward Burne-Jones
- Jupiter Beguiled By Juno On Mount Ida - James Barry
- The Adulteress before Christ, about 1740 - Giovanni Battista Pittoni The Younger
Exhibitions and Visiting Information
Admission to the gallery is free. Visitors may choose to view the 'Portraits and the Human Figure' display, which includes over 80 paintings, photographs, and works on paper. A suggested donation of £5 is requested for this specific display to support the gallery's ongoing work.
The gallery is scheduled to close at the end of October for refurbishment. During this period, the collection will be moved to an interim base. Following this, the works are expected to be on show at a temporary space in the Heart of the City next year.
