Southampton City Art Gallery facts for kids
The Southampton City Art Gallery is a fantastic place in Southampton, southern England, where you can explore amazing art. It's located right in the Civic Centre on Commercial Road.
This gallery first opened its doors in 1939. It got a big boost from generous gifts left by Robert Chipperfield and Frederick William Smith, which helped it get started. After some damage during World War II, the gallery was fixed up and reopened in 1946. It holds a special collection of art, considered really important for the country.
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Discover Southampton City Art Gallery
The Southampton City Art Gallery is home to a vast collection of art that spans six centuries of European art history. Imagine seeing art from hundreds of years ago all in one place! The building itself is a cool example of 1930s architecture.
A Look at the Gallery's History
The gallery has been a part of Southampton for a long time. It was founded thanks to people who loved art and wanted to share it. Even after facing challenges like damage during World War II, it was carefully repaired and reopened to the public. This shows how important art and culture are to the community.
What You Can See: The Amazing Art Collection
The gallery has over 5,300 artworks in its collection! This means there's always something new and exciting to discover. You can see art from many different periods and styles, giving you a journey through time and creativity.
Famous Artists and Sculptures
Some of the cool things you can see include:
- An old altarpiece from the 14th century by Allegretto Nuzi.
- Paintings by Giambattista Pittoni.
- The "Perseus" series by Burne-Jones.
- Works by groups like the Camden Town Group and The London Group.
- Sculptures by famous artists such as Jacob Epstein, Auguste Rodin, Edgar Degas, Henri Gaudier Brzeska, Richard Deacon, and Tony Cragg.
- Unique photographs by Richard Long.
Keeping the Art Safe: Updates and Changes
The gallery is always working to improve and make its art accessible to everyone. This includes using new technology and making sure the building is in great shape.
Digitalizing Art for Everyone
In October 2024, the gallery received a grant of £26,000 from Arts Council England. This money helped them start turning parts of their collection into digital files. This means more people can see and learn about the art online, even if they can't visit in person!
Important Repairs and Opening Hours
The gallery closed on February 22, 2025, for about a year. This closure was necessary to make important repairs to the roof and upgrade the heating system. These updates help protect the artworks and make the gallery more comfortable for visitors when it reopens.
In November 2012, the gallery's opening times changed. Since April 1, 2013, the hours have been:
- Monday-Friday: 10am-3pm
- Saturday: 10am-5pm
- Sunday: Closed
Images for kids
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Portrait of Elena Anguissola by Sofonisba Anguissola, 1551
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The Shipwreck by Philip James de Loutherbourg, 1793
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Fishermen Upon a Lee-Shore in Squally Weather by J.M.W. Turner, 1802
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Sadak in Search of the Waters of Oblivion by John Martin, 1812
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Leaving the Confessional by James Tissot, 1865
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