Walker Art Gallery facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Walker Art Gallery

Walker Art Gallery
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Established	1877 (1877)
Location	William Brown Street, Liverpool, England
Visitors	391,765 (2019)
Founder	Sir Andrew Barclay Walker
Architect	Cornelius Sherlock & H. H. Vale
Public transit access	Liverpool Lime Street
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official name: Walker Art Gallery
Designated:	28 June 1952
Reference #:	1063782

The Walker Art Gallery is a famous art museum in Liverpool, England. It holds one of the biggest art collections in England, outside of London. This amazing gallery is part of the National Museums Liverpool group. It's a great place to explore art from many different times and places!

Discovering the Gallery's History

How the Collection Started

The story of the Walker Art Gallery's collection began a long time ago, in 1819. The Liverpool Royal Institution bought 37 paintings from a man named William Roscoe. He had to sell his art because his banking business had problems. Luckily, his friends helped save the collection from being split up.

In 1843, these paintings were shown in a special gallery next to the Royal Institution. Over the years, the collection grew bigger and bigger.

A New Home for Art

In 1860, the William Brown Library and Museum opened. It was named after a generous Liverpool merchant. This new building allowed the city to create a public library, museum, and art gallery.

Then, in 1871, the city held its first "Liverpool Autumn Exhibition." This show was a big success! It helped the council buy even more art for its permanent collection. Famous paintings like And when did you last see your father? and Dante's Dream were bought during this time.

Opening the Walker Art Gallery

The Walker Art Gallery officially opened its doors on September 6, 1877. It was designed by local architects Cornelius Sherlock and H. H. Vale. The gallery is named after its founder, Sir Andrew Barclay Walker. He was a wealthy brewer and a former mayor of Liverpool.

In 1893, the Liverpool Royal Institution loaned its collection to the gallery for a long time. Later, in 1948, they gave William Roscoe's collection and other artworks to the gallery permanently.

Changes Over Time

During World War II, the gallery closed, and its art was moved to safe places. It reopened in 1951. The gallery also had extensions added in 1884 and 1933. After a big update, it reopened in 2002, looking better than ever!

In 1986, the Walker Art Gallery became a national gallery. This meant it was recognized as a very important part of the country's art and culture.

Where to Find It

The gallery is in a beautiful building on William Brown Street. This area is full of interesting places! Nearby, you can find the World Museum Liverpool, St George's Hall, and Lime Street Station. Another major art gallery in Liverpool is Tate Liverpool, which focuses on modern art.

• Gallery Rooms
• 

  Late Renaissance Gallery

• 

  Pre-Raphaelite Gallery

• 

  Sculpture Gallery

• 

  Modern & Contemporary gallery

Exploring the Permanent Collection

The Walker Art Gallery has an amazing collection of art from different periods.

• It includes Italian and Dutch paintings from the 1300s to the 1550s.
• You can see European art from 1550 to 1900, with works by famous artists like Rembrandt and Degas.
• There's also a large collection of British art from the 1700s and 1800s. This includes many Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite artworks.
• The gallery also has lots of prints, drawings, and watercolors.
• You can find 20th-century art by artists such as Lucian Freud and David Hockney.
• There's a big collection of sculptures too!
• The gallery even has the only original painting by Stuart Sutcliffe (a former member of The Beatles) on permanent display in Liverpool.

Unique Artworks to See

On December 17, 2011, a very special artwork joined the collection. It was a statue of a priest that had been changed by the famous graffiti artist Banksy. Banksy cut off the face of an old stone bust and replaced it with bathroom tiles. This "pixellated" portrait is called Cardinal Sin. It is thought to be a comment on serious issues in the Church. You can find this interesting piece in Room three.

Another important sculpture, La Masseuse by Edgar Degas, found its permanent home at the gallery on July 2, 2013. This artwork was donated through a special system that helps museums get valuable pieces.

Art Exhibitions and Prizes

The John Moores Painting Prize

Since 1957, the Walker Art Gallery has hosted the John Moores Painting Prize exhibition. This competition happens every two years. It was started by Sir John Moores, who founded the Littlewoods company. It is the biggest painting prize in the UK, celebrating new and exciting art!

Temporary Exhibitions

The gallery also has a regular schedule of temporary exhibitions. These shows feature different artists and themes throughout the year. For example, in 2004, the gallery held The Stuckists Punk Victorian. This was the first national museum exhibition for the Stuckist art movement. The gallery also takes part in the Liverpool Biennial, a large art festival in the city.

Gallery

See also

In Spanish: Galería de Arte Walker para niños

• Architecture of Liverpool
• Grade II* listed buildings in Liverpool – City Centre
• Liverpool Biennial
• The Stuckists Punk Victorian