Paisley Museum and Art Galleries were gifted to the town of Paisley to the west of Glasgow by the industrialist Sir Peter Coats in 1871 in a building also housing Paisley Library and the Coats Observatory and designed by John Honeyman of the firm of Honeyman and Keppie. The 20th Century collection comprises mainly works by Scottish artists, from the Glasgow School and Scottish Colourists in the first half of the century, and in the second half of the century artists including Joan Eardley, Ian Fleming, Alexander Goudie, Robin Philipson, Steven Campbell and Paisley-born John Byrne. The museum is scheduled to reopen in 2024 after a period of refurbishment.

Artists featured in this Curation: John Byrne (1940–2023), Henry Young Alison (1889–1972), William Birnie (1929–2006), David Bomberg (1890–1957), Stephen Bone (1904–1958), William Alexander Burns (1921–1972), Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell (1883–1937), Steven Campbell (1953–2007), John Vicat Cole (1903–1975), Cecil Collins (1908–1989), and 36 more
46 artworks
  • John Byrne (1940-2023)

    National Velvet 1975
    John Byrne (1940–2023)
    Oil on plywood
    H 214 x W 202 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    National Velvet
    © John Byrne. All Rights Reserved, DACS 2023. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Henry Young Alison (1889–1972)

    Solitude
    Henry Young Alison (1889–1972)
    Oil on canvas
    H 134 x W 90 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Solitude
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • William Birnie (1929–2006)

    Reclining Odalisque
    William Birnie (1929–2006)
    Oil on canvas
    H 60 x W 89 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Reclining Odalisque
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • David Bomberg (1890–1957)

    Bomb Store 1942
    David Bomberg (1890–1957)
    Oil on paper
    H 35 x W 46.3 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Bomb Store
    © Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Stephen Bone (1904–1958)

    HMS 'Rodney'
    Stephen Bone (1904–1958)
    Oil on canvas
    H 34 x W 24 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    HMS 'Rodney'
    Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • William Alexander Burns (1921–1972)

    Sea Mine No. 2
    William Alexander Burns (1921–1972)
    Oil on canvas
    H 98 x W 98 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Sea Mine No. 2
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell (1883–1937)

    Blue and White China
    Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell (1883–1937)
    Oil on canvas
    H 45 x W 34 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Blue and White China
    Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Steven Campbell (1953–2007)

    The Golden City
    Steven Campbell (1953–2007)
    Oil on canvas
    H 248.2 x W 949.1 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    The Golden City
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • John Vicat Cole (1903–1975)

    Antique Shop
    John Vicat Cole (1903–1975)
    Oil on canvas
    H 49 x W 60 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Antique Shop
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Cecil Collins (1908–1989)

    Head Study 1944
    Cecil Collins (1908–1989)
    Oil on canvas
    H 14 x W 15 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Head Study
    © Tate / Tate Images. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Hugh Adam Crawford (1898–1982)

    James Berry in an A. F. S. Uniform
    Hugh Adam Crawford (1898–1982)
    Oil on canvas
    H 100 x W 85 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    James Berry in an A. F. S. Uniform
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • William Crosbie (1915–1999)

    Still Life
    William Crosbie (1915–1999)
    Oil on canvas
    H 89 x W 69 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Still Life
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Charles Ernest Cundall (1890–1971)

    Servicing Station, Gourock
    Charles Ernest Cundall (1890–1971)
    Oil on canvas
    H 75 x W 125 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Servicing Station, Gourock
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Terence Tenison Cuneo (1907–1996)

    The Grain Market
    Terence Tenison Cuneo (1907–1996)
    Oil on canvas
    H 62 x W 72 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    The Grain Market
    © reproduced with kind permission of the Cuneo estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Stanley Cursiter (1887–1976)

    Dolce far niente
    Stanley Cursiter (1887–1976)
    Oil on canvas
    H 99 x W 151 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Dolce far niente
    © estate of Stanley Cursiter. All rights reserved, DACS 2023. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Alan Davie (1920–2014)

    Hallucination with Monster and Cock
    Alan Davie (1920–2014)
    Oil on canvas
    H 122 x W 154 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Hallucination with Monster and Cock
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Pat Douthwaite (1934–2002)

    Portrait of Myself with Malthy
    Pat Douthwaite (1934–2002)
    Oil on canvas
    H 143 x W 113 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Portrait of Myself with Malthy
    © the Estate of Pat Douthwaite. All rights reserved. DACS 2024. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • John Duncan (1866–1945)

    Masque of Love
    John Duncan (1866–1945)
    Oil on canvas
    H 113 x W 209 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Masque of Love
    Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Joan Kathleen Harding Eardley (1921–1963)

    Boy on Stool
    Joan Kathleen Harding Eardley (1921–1963)
    Oil on canvas
    H 91 x W 59 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Boy on Stool
    © the Eardley estate. All rights reserved, DACS 2024. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • John Duncan Fergusson (1874–1961)

    Le chantier, Royan
    John Duncan Fergusson (1874–1961)
    Oil on canvas
    H 53 x W 63 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Le chantier, Royan
    © Courtesy of Culture Perth & Kinross Museums & Galleries.. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Ian Fleming (1906–1994)

    Machair
    Ian Fleming (1906–1994)
    Oil on canvas
    H 75 x W 60 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Machair
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Jean Fleming (1937–1988)

    Houses at Arbroath
    Jean Fleming (1937–1988)
    Oil on canvas
    H 61 x W 72 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Houses at Arbroath
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • William George Gillies (1898–1973)

    Still Life with Fruit
    William George Gillies (1898–1973)
    Oil on canvas
    H 48 x W 26 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Still Life with Fruit
    © Royal Scottish Academy / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Alexander Goudie (1933–2004)

    Portrait of the Artist and His Family
    Alexander Goudie (1933–2004)
    Oil on canvas
    H 214 x W 184 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Portrait of the Artist and His Family
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • George Henry (1858–1943)

    The Paisley Shawl 1924
    George Henry (1858–1943)
    Oil on canvas
    H 68 x W 59 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    The Paisley Shawl
    Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Violet MacNeish Kay (1914–1971)

    Loch Long
    Violet MacNeish Kay (1914–1971)
    Oil on canvas
    H 70 x W 90 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Loch Long
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Gerald Festus Kelly (1879–1972)

    Saw Ohn Nyun, Princess of Burma
    Gerald Festus Kelly (1879–1972)
    Oil on canvas
    H 63 x W 52 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Saw Ohn Nyun, Princess of Burma
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Bet Low (1924–2007)

    Renfrewshire Landscape
    Bet Low (1924–2007)
    Oil on canvas
    H 99 x W 89 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Renfrewshire Landscape
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • William MacTaggart (1903–1981)

    Poppies 1964
    William MacTaggart (1903–1981)
    Oil on canvas
    H 74 x W 58 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Poppies
    © by permission of the artist's family. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • John Maxwell (1905–1962)

    Church and Houses
    John Maxwell (1905–1962)
    Oil on canvas
    H 68 x W 88 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Church and Houses
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • David McClure (1926–1998)

    Boats and Houses at Clachtoll
    David McClure (1926–1998)
    Oil on canvas
    H 48 x W 57 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Boats and Houses at Clachtoll
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Charles James McCall (1907–1989)

    Midnight
    Charles James McCall (1907–1989)
    Oil on canvas
    H 80 x W 43 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Midnight
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • John Maclauchlan Milne (1885–1957)

    Landscape
    John Maclauchlan Milne (1885–1957)
    Oil on canvas
    H 52 x W 71 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Landscape
    © John Maclauchlan Milne, courtesy of Portland Gallery, London. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Alberto Morrocco (1917–1998)

    Low Tide, Benham before 1970
    Alberto Morrocco (1917–1998)
    Oil on canvas
    H 59 x W 80 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Low Tide, Benham
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Samuel John Peploe (1871–1935)

    Kirkcudbright
    Samuel John Peploe (1871–1935)
    Oil on canvas
    H 32 x W 39 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Kirkcudbright
    Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Robin Philipson (1916–1992)

    The Fallen Soldier
    Robin Philipson (1916–1992)
    Oil on canvas
    H 133 x W 88 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    The Fallen Soldier
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Alphonse Quizet (1885–1955)

    Rue des Partants
    Alphonse Quizet (1885–1955)
    Oil on canvas
    H 57 x W 71 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Rue des Partants
    © ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2023. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • David Prophet Ramsay (1888–1944)

    Mrs Ramsay after 1923
    David Prophet Ramsay (1888–1944)
    Oil on canvas
    H 125 x W 100 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Mrs Ramsay
    Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Anne Redpath (1895–1965)

    Shell of San Christora
    Anne Redpath (1895–1965)
    Oil on canvas
    H 68 x W 90 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Shell of San Christora
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Walter Richard Sickert (1860–1942)

    La Porte Saint-Denis
    Walter Richard Sickert (1860–1942)
    Oil on canvas
    H 74 x W 44 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    La Porte Saint-Denis
    Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Robert Sivell (1888–1958)

    Girl with a Doll
    Robert Sivell (1888–1958)
    Oil on canvas
    H 50 x W 39 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Girl with a Doll
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • William Strang (1859–1921)

    War News
    William Strang (1859–1921)
    Oil on canvas
    H 53 x W 44 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    War News
    Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Alick Riddell Sturrock (1885–1953)

    Summer at Whitcombe
    Alick Riddell Sturrock (1885–1953)
    Oil on canvas
    H 74 x W 60 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Summer at Whitcombe
    Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • James Watt (1931–2022)

    Harbour Scene
    James Watt (1931–2022)
    Oil on canvas
    H 54 x W 90 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Harbour Scene
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Gordon Hope Wyllie (1930–2005)

    Renfrewshire Landscape 1963
    Gordon Hope Wyllie (1930–2005)
    Oil on canvas
    H 72 x W 95 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Renfrewshire Landscape
    © with kind permission of the Wyllie family. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Margaret Isobel Wright (1884–1957)

    Children in a Sandpit
    Margaret Isobel Wright (1884–1957)
    Oil on canvas
    H 58 x W 57 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Children in a Sandpit
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections