Bolton Museum opened in the middle of the elegant Le Mans Crescent in 1947. The 20th Century collection was considerably first with the bequest from Bolton cotton manufacturer, Frank Hindley Smith, who was friends with Roger Fry, Maynard Keynes and Samuel Courtauld, and so was able to introduce paintings by Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant and William Roberts into the collection. Guided by the Walker Art Gallery, contemporary sculpture by Jacob Epstein, Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth was purchased and the donation of the Sycamore Collection of British printmaking from 1900 to 1960 alongside other gifts and acquisitions has enabled Bolton to develop a collection of some distinction.

44 artworks

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Gypsy Musician
© the copyright holder. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

John Richardson Gauld (1885–1961)

Gypsy Musician 1937
John Richardson Gauld (1885–1961)
Oil on canvas
H 68 x W 51 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Campers by a Stream
© the copyright holder. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

William Bernard Adeney (1878–1966)

Campers by a Stream
William Bernard Adeney (1878–1966)
Oil on canvas
H 41.5 x W 54.4 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Composition (The Twig)
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

John Armstrong (1893–1973)

Composition (The Twig) 1931
John Armstrong (1893–1973)
Oil on canvas
H 49 x W 69 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Goat Man and Guitar
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

John Banting (1902–1972)

Goat Man and Guitar
John Banting (1902–1972)
Oil on board
H 105 x W 80 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Mediterranean Landscape
© the artist's estate. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Keith Baynes (1887–1977)

Mediterranean Landscape 1925
Keith Baynes (1887–1977)
Oil on canvas
H 59 x W 49 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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View into a Garden
© estate of Vanessa Bell. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Vanessa Bell (1879–1961)

View into a Garden 1926
Vanessa Bell (1879–1961)
Oil on board
H 70 x W 56 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Construction, Rock and Water
© the Sandra Blow estate partnership. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Sandra Blow (1925–2006)

Construction, Rock and Water 1953
Sandra Blow (1925–2006)
Oil, gouache, gum & scratching out on board
H 49.5 x W 66 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Tonge Moor Road, Bolton
© the artist's estate. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Brian Bradshaw (1923–2016)

Tonge Moor Road, Bolton
Brian Bradshaw (1923–2016)
Oil on canvas
H 90 x W 70 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Four Amaryllis in Pots
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

John Randall Bratby (1928–1992)

Four Amaryllis in Pots before 1963
John Randall Bratby (1928–1992)
Oil on hardboard
H 120 x W 58.5 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Maquette for 'Winged Figures III'
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Lynn Chadwick (1914–2003)

Maquette for 'Winged Figures III' 1961
Lynn Chadwick (1914–2003)
Cast bronze
H 64 x W 42 x D 31 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Man Entering a Factory
© estate of Prunella Clough. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Prunella Clough (1919–1999)

Man Entering a Factory 1956
Prunella Clough (1919–1999)
Oil on canvas
H 50.4 x W 30 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Shepherd Seated on a Rock
© estate of John Craxton. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

John Craxton (1922–2009)

Shepherd Seated on a Rock 1943
John Craxton (1922–2009)
Ripolin on board
H 41 x W 53.4 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Maquette for TUC War Memorial
© The estate of Sir Jacob Epstein / Tate Images. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Jacob Epstein (1880–1959)

Maquette for TUC War Memorial 1955
Jacob Epstein (1880–1959)
Cast bronze
H 55 x W 30 x D 16 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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First Study for 'The Chess Players'
© the artist's estate. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Merlyn Oliver Evans (1910–1973)

First Study for 'The Chess Players' 1940
Merlyn Oliver Evans (1910–1973)
Oil on canvas
H 151 x W 151 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Bolton Back Street
© Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Geoffrey Scowcroft Fletcher (1923–2004)

Bolton Back Street 1994
Geoffrey Scowcroft Fletcher (1923–2004)
Oil on canvas
H 60 x W 55 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Winged Figure
© The Executors of the Frink Estate and Archive. All Rights Reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Elisabeth Frink (1930–1993)

Winged Figure
Elisabeth Frink (1930–1993)
Cast bronze
H 58 x W 22 x D 19 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Composition – Red & Yellow
© estate of Terry Frost. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Terry Frost (1915–2003)

Composition – Red & Yellow c.1960
Terry Frost (1915–2003)
Oil on canvas
H 76 x W 63.5 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Italian Landscape
Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Roger Eliot Fry (1866–1934)

Italian Landscape 1922
Roger Eliot Fry (1866–1934)
Oil on canvas
H 54 x W 65 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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The French Novel (The Mirror)
Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Charles Ginner (1878–1952)

The French Novel (The Mirror) 1928
Charles Ginner (1878–1952)
Oil on canvas
H 67 x W 49 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Still Life with Table
© Estate of Duncan Grant. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Duncan Grant (1885–1978)

Still Life with Table 1900–1940
Duncan Grant (1885–1978)
Oil on canvas
H 51 x W 37 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Tea Break, Lots Road, Fulham, London
© the artist's estate. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Brian Hagger (1935–2006)

Tea Break, Lots Road, Fulham, London 1969
Brian Hagger (1935–2006)
Oil on canvas
H 92 x W 72 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Street Corner, Bolton
© the artist's estate. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Roger Hampson (1925–1996)

Street Corner, Bolton
Roger Hampson (1925–1996)
Oil on canvas
H 37 x W 24.5 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Three Forms
© Bowness. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Barbara Hepworth (1903–1975)

Three Forms 1968
Barbara Hepworth (1903–1975)
Carved lignum vitae
H 62 x W 57 x D 23 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Rhode Island Reds
© the artist. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Lubaina Himid (b.1954)

Rhode Island Reds
Lubaina Himid (b.1954)
Oil on canvas
H 83.5 x W 83.5 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Still Life with Poppies
© the artist's estate. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Ivon Hitchens (1893–1979)

Still Life with Poppies 1940–1945
Ivon Hitchens (1893–1979)
Oil on canvas
H 80 x W 61 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Bolton Terraces
Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Humphrey Jennings (1907–1950)

Bolton Terraces c.1937–1950
Humphrey Jennings (1907–1950)
Oil on canvas
H 33 x W 43 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Landscape
© the copyright holder. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Gwyneth Johnstone (1915–2010)

Landscape c.1971
Gwyneth Johnstone (1915–2010)
Oil on board
H 87 x W 105 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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The Cruel Sea
© reproduced with permission of the estate of Dame Laura Knight, DBE, RA / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Laura Knight (1877–1970)

The Cruel Sea c.1967
Laura Knight (1877–1970)
Oil on canvas
H 76 x W 64 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Breton Youth
© estate of Henry Lamb / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Henry Lamb (1883–1960)

Breton Youth 1910
Henry Lamb (1883–1960)
Oil on panel
H 32 x W 24 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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The View from the Window, Back Garden, Adelaide Road, London
© the artist's estate. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Lynton Harold Lamb (1907–1977)

The View from the Window, Back Garden, Adelaide Road, London
Lynton Harold Lamb (1907–1977)
Oil on canvas
H 67 x W 49 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Helmet Head No. 5
© The Henry Moore Foundation. All Rights Reserved, DACS 2025 / www.henry-moore.org. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Henry Moore (1898–1986)

Helmet Head No. 5 1966
Henry Moore (1898–1986)
Cast bronze
H 42 x W 33 x D 25 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Spanish Women Washing
Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson (1889–1946)

Spanish Women Washing
Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson (1889–1946)
Oil on canvas
H 74 x W 58 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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1940 (Cornish landscape)
© the estate of Angela Verren Taunt. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Ben Nicholson (1894–1982)

1940 (Cornish landscape) 1940
Ben Nicholson (1894–1982)
Oil, tempera & pencil on board
H 25.4 x W 35.6 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Kearsley Power Station
© the copyright holder. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

John Nicholson (1916–1972)

Kearsley Power Station
John Nicholson (1916–1972)
Oil on canvas
H 49.5 x W 59.5 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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To the Quick No. 5
© the artist. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Thérèse Oulton (b.1953)

To the Quick No. 5 1984
Thérèse Oulton (b.1953)
Oil & encaustic on canvas
H 71 x W 51 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Naked Head
© trustees of the Paolozzi Foundation, licensed by DACS 2025. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi (1924–2005)

Naked Head 1978
Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi (1924–2005)
Cast bronze
H 39.5 x W 36.5 x D 14 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Pennine Landscape
© the artist's estate. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Roland Vivian Pitchforth (1895–1982)

Pennine Landscape c.1920–1940
Roland Vivian Pitchforth (1895–1982)
Oil on canvas
H 50.8 x W 61 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Bolton Street Scene
© the artist's estate. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Stella Platt (1913–2011)

Bolton Street Scene
Stella Platt (1913–2011)
Oil on canvas
H 60 x W 51 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Bath Time (The Miner's Toilet and Wash Night)
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)

Bath Time (The Miner's Toilet and Wash Night) 1928–1935
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 39 x W 49 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Church Wharf Bridge, Bolton
© the artist. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Bryan Senior (b.1935)

Church Wharf Bridge, Bolton 1956
Bryan Senior (b.1935)
Oil on board
H 57 x W 74 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Girl in a Green Blouse
© by permission of the copyright holder. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Matthew Arnold Bracy Smith (1879–1959)

Girl in a Green Blouse 1942
Matthew Arnold Bracy Smith (1879–1959)
Oil on canvas
H 91 x W 59 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Kitchen Bedroom
© the artist's estate. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Albert Edward Turpin (1900–1964)

Kitchen Bedroom 1930
Albert Edward Turpin (1900–1964)
Oil on canvas
H 29 x W 39 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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The Perspective of Idleness II
Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Edward Alexander Wadsworth (1889–1949)

The Perspective of Idleness II 1942
Edward Alexander Wadsworth (1889–1949)
Tempera on linen on board
H 80 x W 62 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

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Arab Children
© Dr Max Block. Image credit: Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council

Erich Wolfsfeld (1884–1956)

Arab Children
Erich Wolfsfeld (1884–1956)
Oil on paper
H 75 x W 57 cm
Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton Council