20th Century spotlight: The Wilson, Cheltenham

Opened in 1899 as Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum, in 2013, after the building was extended, it was renamed The Wilson in honour of Cheltenham-born polar explorer Edward Wilson. The museum holds a unique collection of watercolours and drawings made by Wilson who accompanied Scott on two Antarctic expeditions. Although best known for its Arts and Crafts Collection, The Wilson has a strong 20th Century Collection, especially from the first half of the century.

Artists featured in this Curation: Josselin Bodley (1893–1974), Michael Ayrton (1921–1975), James Bateman (1893–1959), Arthur Bell (1897–1995), Vanessa Bell (1879–1961), John Bellany (1942–2013), George William Bissill (1896–1973), David Bomberg (1890–1957), Stephen Bone (1904–1958), Harold Cohen (1928–2016), and 41 more See all

52 artworks

Storyline Album Showcase

Josselin Bodley (1893–1974)
A City on a Hill 1928
Josselin Bodley (1893–1974)
Oil on canvas
H 36.5 x W 44.8 cm
The Wilson

© the copyright holder. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Michael Ayrton (1921–1975)
Field Roller 1946
Michael Ayrton (1921–1975)
Oil on panel
H 34.5 x W 48 cm
The Wilson

© the artist's estate. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
James Bateman (1893–1959)
The Pool, Blockley, Gloucestershire 1926
James Bateman (1893–1959)
Oil on canvas
H 49.2 x W 59.4 cm
The Wilson

© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Arthur Bell (1897–1995)
Portico dei Comuni, Siena, Italy c.1958
Arthur Bell (1897–1995)
Oil on canvas
H 31.7 x W 42 cm
The Wilson

© the artist's estate. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Vanessa Bell (1879–1961)
Window, Still Life
Vanessa Bell (1879–1961)
Oil on canvas
H 72.8 x W 55.7 cm
The Wilson

© estate of Vanessa Bell. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
John Bellany (1942–2013)
Two Cats 1980s
John Bellany (1942–2013)
Oil on canvas
H 122 x W 91.7 cm
The Wilson

© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
George William Bissill (1896–1973)
Winter Landscape, Snow in Wiltshire
George William Bissill (1896–1973)
Oil on canvas
H 50 x W 59.7 cm
The Wilson

© the copyright holder. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
David Bomberg (1890–1957)
Flowers 1943
David Bomberg (1890–1957)
Oil on canvas
H 63.6 x W 50.8 cm
The Wilson

© the estate of David Bomberg. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Stephen Bone (1904–1958)
Springtime in the Woods
Stephen Bone (1904–1958)
Oil on canvas
H 121 x W 121 cm
The Wilson

© estate of Stephen Bone. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Harold Cohen (1928–2016)
Project 1962
Harold Cohen (1928–2016)
Oil on canvas
H 182.8 x W 160 cm
The Wilson

© the artist's estate. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Leslie Cole (1910–1976)
Stirlings in Production 1943
Leslie Cole (1910–1976)
Oil on canvas
H 59.5 x W 89.5 cm
The Wilson

© the artist's estate. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Robin Darwin (1910–1974)
The Bath 1932
Robin Darwin (1910–1974)
Oil on canvas
H 89.5 x W 69.4 cm
The Wilson

© the artist's estate. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Ronald Ossory Dunlop (1894–1973)
Portrait of a Young Boy
Ronald Ossory Dunlop (1894–1973)
Oil on panel
H 50 x W 39.5 cm
The Wilson

© the copyright holder. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Janet C. Fisher (1867–1926)
Rainbow over Assisi, Italy
Janet C. Fisher (1867–1926)
Oil on canvas
H 43.8 x W 59.3 cm
The Wilson

Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Gerald Gardiner (1902–1959)
Self Portrait Wearing a Home Guard Uniform 1941
Gerald Gardiner (1902–1959)
Oil on canvas
H 73.5 x W 53.5 cm
The Wilson

© the artist's estate. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Charles March Gere (1869–1957)
Rain Gathering on Snowdon 1921
Charles March Gere (1869–1957)
Oil on canvas
H 42 x W 52.3 cm
The Wilson

© the artist's estate. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Margaret Gere (1878–1965)
The Pharaoh's Dream 1911
Margaret Gere (1878–1965)
Tempera on canvas
H 30.2 x W 25.5 cm
The Wilson

© the artist's estate. Image credit: Bridgeman Images
Edwin Glasgow (1874–1955)
Near the Courts of Justice, Tangiers, Morocco 1923
Edwin Glasgow (1874–1955)
Oil on canvas
H 48 x W 71 cm
The Wilson

© the copyright holder. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Robert Gwelo Goodman (1871–1939)
Cotyledon
Robert Gwelo Goodman (1871–1939)
Oil on canvas
H 75 x W 62.5 cm
The Wilson

Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Duncan Grant (1885–1978)
Angelica Garnett (1918–2012) 1940
Duncan Grant (1885–1978)
Oil on canvas
H 71.2 x W 58.3 cm
The Wilson

© Estate of Duncan Grant. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Richard Heyworth (1862–1941)
Dieppe Harbour, France
Richard Heyworth (1862–1941)
Oil on canvas
H 105 x W 153 cm
The Wilson

Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Peter Howson (b.1958)
Two Figures 1987
Peter Howson (b.1958)
Oil on canvas
H 74 x W 59 cm
The Wilson

© Peter Howson. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Leslie Hurry (1909–1978)
Dialectic No. 2 1940
Leslie Hurry (1909–1978)
Oil on canvas
H 98 x W 123.5 cm
The Wilson

© The Estate of Leslie Hurry / Tate. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Charles Kvapil (1884–1957)
Seated Nude 1927
Charles Kvapil (1884–1957)
Oil on canvas
H 63.5 x W 52.4 cm
The Wilson

© ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2025. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Béla Kádár (1877–1955)
Nudes
Béla Kádár (1877–1955)
Tempera on card
H 84 x W 57 cm
The Wilson

© DACS 2025. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Dorothy Larcher (1884–1952)
Godetias
Dorothy Larcher (1884–1952)
Oil on canvas
H 40.4 x W 30.2 cm
The Wilson

Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Neville Lewis (1895–1972)
African Woman 1920s
Neville Lewis (1895–1972)
Oil on panel
H 34 x W 23.6 cm
The Wilson

© the copyright holder. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Jean Hippolyte Marchand (1883–1941)
Woman Reading
Jean Hippolyte Marchand (1883–1941)
Oil on canvas
H 87 x W 114.5 cm
The Wilson

Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
James Martin (1924–2006)
African Queen
James Martin (1924–2006)
Oil (?) & mixed media on canvas
H 22.2 x W 18.8 cm
The Wilson

© the copyright holder. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Paul Nash (1889–1946)
St Pancras, London 1927
Paul Nash (1889–1946)
Oil on canvas
H 41 x W 60 cm
The Wilson

Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Thomas Saunders Nash (1891–1968)
The Sword of the Lord of Gideon 1932
Thomas Saunders Nash (1891–1968)
Oil on plywood
H 40 x W 39.8 cm
The Wilson

© the artist's estate. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Coral Nerelle (1909–1986)
The Visitor 1978
Coral Nerelle (1909–1986)
Oil on hardboard
H 36.4 x W 31.2 cm
The Wilson

© the copyright holder. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
John Anthony Park (1880–1962)
A Peaceful Haven
John Anthony Park (1880–1962)
Oil on panel
H 24 x W 34 cm
The Wilson

© the artist's estate. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Brynhild Parker (1907–1987)
Bedroom Interior
Brynhild Parker (1907–1987)
Oil on canvas
H 46.2 x W 34.5 cm
The Wilson

© the copyright holder. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Mervyn Peake (1911–1968)
Seated Figure 1939
Mervyn Peake (1911–1968)
Oil on board
H 107 x W 55.8 cm
The Wilson

© the artist's estate. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Albert Reuss (1889–1975)
Woman Reading a Newspaper 1930
Albert Reuss (1889–1975)
Oil on canvas
H 69 x W 56.5 cm
The Wilson

© the copyright holder. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
William Rothenstein (1872–1945)
Mother and Child, Candlelight
William Rothenstein (1872–1945)
Oil on canvas
H 104.8 x W 94.7 cm
The Wilson

Image credit: Bridgeman Images
Adrian Ryan (1920–1998)
Goat's Meat
Adrian Ryan (1920–1998)
Oil on canvas
H 49.4 x W 62.3 cm
The Wilson

© estate of Adrian Ryan. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Stanley Spencer (1891–1959)
Village Life (or 'Village Gossips') 1939–1940
Stanley Spencer (1891–1959)
Oil on canvas
H 87 x W 111.8 cm
The Wilson

© the estate of Stanley Spencer. All rights reserved / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Bridgeman Images
Adrian Scott Stokes (1854–1935)
Sunset in Provence, France c.1927
Adrian Scott Stokes (1854–1935)
Oil on canvas
H 59.3 x W 81 cm
The Wilson

Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
William Strang (1859–1921)
Janet Elizabeth Ashbee (1878–1961) 1910
William Strang (1859–1921)
Oil on canvas
H 60.6 x W 50.5 cm
The Wilson

Image credit: Bridgeman Images
Rowland Suddaby (1912–1972)
Fishing Village 1931
Rowland Suddaby (1912–1972)
Oil on canvas
H 62.5 x W 75 cm
The Wilson

© the artist's estate. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Graham Vivian Sutherland (1903–1980)
Devastation, House in Wales c.1940
Graham Vivian Sutherland (1903–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 62.5 x W 112 cm
The Wilson

© estate of Graham Sutherland. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Leonard Campbell Taylor (1874–1969)
An Interior c.1910
Leonard Campbell Taylor (1874–1969)
Oil on canvas
H 58.3 x W 48.3 cm
The Wilson

© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Alfred Henry Robinson Thornton (1863–1939)
In Provence, France 1919
Alfred Henry Robinson Thornton (1863–1939)
Oil on canvas
H 44.6 x W 54 cm
The Wilson

Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Alfred Henry Robinson Thornton (1863–1939)
Melting Snow
Alfred Henry Robinson Thornton (1863–1939)
Oil on canvas
H 70.5 x W 109 cm
The Wilson

Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
James Walker Tucker (1898–1972)
An Old Cotswold Wagon
James Walker Tucker (1898–1972)
Oil on panel
H 60.4 x W 75.5 cm
The Wilson

© the copyright holder. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Jane Urquhart (1947–1983)
Britannia 1968
Jane Urquhart (1947–1983)
Oil on canvas
H 49.5 x W 39 cm
The Wilson

© the copyright holder. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Ethel Walker (1861–1951)
Study in Red, Black and Green 1937
Ethel Walker (1861–1951)
Oil on canvas
H 44.5 x W 63.5 cm
The Wilson

Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Carel Victor Morlais Weight (1908–1997)
Uncle Percy 1933
Carel Victor Morlais Weight (1908–1997)
Oil on canvas
H 49.3 x W 39.1 cm
The Wilson

© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Ethelbert White (1891–1972)
Landscape
Ethelbert White (1891–1972)
Oil on canvas
H 64 x W 53 cm
The Wilson

© the Ethelbert White estate. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council
Edward Wolfe (1897–1982)
Seated Figure
Edward Wolfe (1897–1982)
Oil on canvas
H 76.8 x W 64.7 cm
The Wilson

© The Estate of Edward Wolfe. All Rights Reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council