The Fine Art Collection was started in the 1880s, shortly after the opening of the Art Gallery and has been added to continuously since then. It numbers nearly two thousand works including 250 oil paintings, 750 drawings and watercolours, 450 old engravings and 350 modern original prints.
The main strengths are Victorian oil paintings, 19th and 20th century British watercolours, modern prints, and the collection of paintings, watercolours and prints of local and topographical interest.
There are several outstanding pictures in the collection, for example a view of Dudley Castle by J.M.W.Turner and significant holdings of work by David Cox, Frank Brangwyn and Percy Shakespeare.
Fine Art Acquisitions Policy
This policy outlines the principles the Museum takes into account when acquiring objects for its collection:
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To acquire drawings, paintings, prints and sculpture of local interest, both historical and contemporary, including images of people, places, trades and industries, and landscapes and townscapes.
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To acquire work by artists past and present, who were born or raised in the Dudley Metropolitan Borough Area, regardless of whether their work has a local connection.
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To acquire work by artists currently working in the Borough of Dudley, particularly where the work has a local content.
View the Collections Online
The Inspired Designs website showcases the decorative art collections cared for by Dudley and other museums in the Black Country.
Black Country History is a searchable website which allows users to find information about documents, maps, photographs, art works, objects and more held by archives and museums services within the Black Country. Dudley Museums Service are a partner involved in the website and consequently details of the objects held in our collections are available on the site.
Please use Black Country History to discover more about the historic objects and documents cared for by Dudley Museum & Art Gallery.
