The University of Liverpool's art collections are displayed within Alfred Waterhouse's redbrick building that opened in 1892. Gifts and bequests, including works from Liverpool School of art graduates, have enhanced considerably its 20th Century collection, and Freud’s Paddington Interior, Harry Diamond is cited as its most important British painting from the period. There are many other particular strengths within its holdings, from the Tropical Fantasy set of paintings on a desert island theme for the professor of architecture at Liverpool University, Charles Reilly painted by Mary Adshead to an excellent group of works by Hungarian artist George Mayer-Marton, Senior Lecturer in Painting at Liverpool College of Art.

Artists featured in this Curation: Lucian Freud (1922–2011), Mary Adshead (1904–1995), Arnold Auerbach (1898–1978), Gillian Ayres (1930–2018), Millicent Emily Ayrton (1913–2000), Adrian Berg (1929–2011), Mavis Blackburn (1923–2005), Frank Bowling (b.1934), Marjorie Brooks (1904–1980), George Anthony Butler (1927–2010), and 39 more
49 artworks
  • Lucian Freud (1922–2011)

    Paddington Interior, Harry Diamond (1924–2009) 1970
    Lucian Freud (1922–2011)
    Oil on canvas
    H 71 x W 71 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Paddington Interior, Harry Diamond (1924–2009)
    © Lucian Freud Archive / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Mary Adshead (1904–1995)

    A London Evening 1933
    Mary Adshead (1904–1995)
    Oil on canvas
    H 142 x W 243 cm
    University of Liverpool
    A London Evening
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Arnold Auerbach (1898–1978)

    Still Life
    Arnold Auerbach (1898–1978)
    Oil on canvas
    H 38 x W 49 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Still Life
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Gillian Ayres (1930–2018)

    Fountain
    Gillian Ayres (1930–2018)
    Acrylic on canvas
    H 230 x W 175 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Fountain
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Millicent Emily Ayrton (1913–2000)

    Yalta, Crimea
    Millicent Emily Ayrton (1913–2000)
    Oil on board
    H 62 x W 90 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Yalta, Crimea
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Adrian Berg (1929–2011)

    Gloucester Lodge, Regent's Park, London, April
    Adrian Berg (1929–2011)
    Oil on canvas
    H 107 x W 107 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Gloucester Lodge, Regent's Park, London, April
    © estate of Adrian Berg. All rights reserved, DACS 2024. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Mavis Blackburn (1923–2005)

    Ashburton, Devon
    Mavis Blackburn (1923–2005)
    Acrylic on board
    H 84 x W 107 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Ashburton, Devon
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Frank Bowling (b.1934)

    Clutch
    Frank Bowling (b.1934)
    Acrylic on paper
    H 24 x W 27 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Clutch
    © Frank Bowling. All rights reserved, DACS 2024. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Marjorie Brooks (1904–1980)

    Portrait of Mrs Cécile M. G. Dorward (1911–2004) 1940
    Marjorie Brooks (1904–1980)
    Oil on canvas
    H 90.1 x W 69.7 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Portrait of Mrs Cécile M. G. Dorward (1911–2004)
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • George Anthony Butler (1927–2010)

    Pier Head, Liverpool
    George Anthony Butler (1927–2010)
    Oil on canvas
    H 64 x W 76 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Pier Head, Liverpool
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • David Young Cameron (1865–1945)

    Loch Naver, Sutherlandshire
    David Young Cameron (1865–1945)
    Oil on canvas
    H 60 x W 80 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Loch Naver, Sutherlandshire
    Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Cecil Collins (1908–1989)

    Head
    Cecil Collins (1908–1989)
    Oil on canvas
    H 25 x W 17.5 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Head
    © Tate / Tate Images. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Robert Colquhoun (1914–1962)

    Woman with a Goat
    Robert Colquhoun (1914–1962)
    Oil on canvas
    H 100 x W 75 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Woman with a Goat
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Peter Corbett (b.1952)

    Homage to Sam Walsh 1991
    Peter Corbett (b.1952)
    Oil on cotton
    H 92 x W 92 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Homage to Sam Walsh
    © Peter Corbett. All Rights Reserved. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Dennis Creffield (1931–2018)

    Petworth Park: Autumn Equinox, Sunset 1991
    Dennis Creffield (1931–2018)
    Oil on canvas
    H 63.5 x W 132.1 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Petworth Park: Autumn Equinox, Sunset
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Robyn Denny (1930–2014)

    Wardrop I, 1961
    Robyn Denny (1930–2014)
    Oil on canvas
    H 244 x W 198 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Wardrop I, 1961
    © Estate of Robyn Denny. All Rights Reserved, DACS 2024. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • George James Drought (b.1940)

    Barricade Building
    George James Drought (b.1940)
    Oil on canvas
    H 71 x W 96 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Barricade Building
    © the artist. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Ronald Ossory Dunlop (1894–1973)

    The Hard, Mersea Island, Essex
    Ronald Ossory Dunlop (1894–1973)
    Oil on canvas
    H 98.4 x W 123.4 cm
    University of Liverpool
    The Hard, Mersea Island, Essex
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Edward Desmond Farmer (1917–1999)

    Windmill
    Edward Desmond Farmer (1917–1999)
    Oil on panel
    H 49.5 x W 59.9 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Windmill
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Jacob Epstein (1880–1959)

    Oriel Ross – Third Portrait 1931
    Jacob Epstein (1880–1959)
    Bronze
    H 65 x W 43 x D 32 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Oriel Ross – Third Portrait
    © The estate of Sir Jacob Epstein / Tate Images. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Elisabeth Frink (1930–1993)

    Gogglehead 1967
    Elisabeth Frink (1930–1993)
    Bronze
    H 51 x W 35 x D 35 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Gogglehead
    © The Executors of the Frink Estate and Archive. All Rights Reserved, DACS 2024. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Edward Irvine Halliday (1902–1984)

    Seascape
    Edward Irvine Halliday (1902–1984)
    Oil on panel
    H 40 x W 29.5 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Seascape
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • John Hart (1921–1996)

    Curtain on Waking 1958
    John Hart (1921–1996)
    Oil on board
    H 122 x W 244 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Curtain on Waking
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Adrian Henri (1932–2000)

    Debris II
    Adrian Henri (1932–2000)
    Oil on board
    H 122 x W 152 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Debris II
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Augustus John (1878–1961)

    Sir Charles Herbert Reilly (1874–1948), Roscoe Chair of Architecture, University of Liverpool (1904–1933)
    Augustus Edwin John (1878–1961)
    Oil on canvas
    H 49 x W 39 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Sir Charles Herbert Reilly (1874–1948), Roscoe Chair of Architecture, University of Liverpool (1904–1933)
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Phillip King (1934–2021)

    Heart 1988
    Phillip King (1934–2021)
    Bronze
    H 39.5 x W 28 x D 24 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Heart
    © Phillip King. All rights reserved, DACS 2024. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Christopher Le Brun (b.1951)

    Underworld 1979
    Christopher Le Brun (b.1951)
    Oil on canvas
    H 268 x W 165 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Underworld
    © Christopher Le Brun. All rights reserved, DACS 2024. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • David Leverett (1938–2020)

    Red Ribbons
    David Leverett (1938–2020)
    Acrylic on canvas
    H 185 x W 185 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Red Ribbons
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Georg Mayer-Marton (1897–1960)

    Austrian Landscape 1955
    Georg Mayer-Marton (1897–1960)
    Oil on board
    H 59.7 x W 79.7 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Austrian Landscape
    © estate of Georg Mayer-Marton / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Bernard Meninsky (1891–1950)

    Cookham Dean, Berkshire c.1930
    Bernard Meninsky (1891–1950)
    Oil on canvas
    H 70 x W 90 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Cookham Dean, Berkshire
    Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • David Alan Redpath Michie (1928–2015)

    Carpet Market
    David Alan Redpath Michie (1928–2015)
    Oil on board
    H 84 x W 110 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Carpet Market
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • John Northcote Nash (1893–1977)

    The Alder
    John Northcote Nash (1893–1977)
    Oil on canvas
    H 56 x W 72 cm
    University of Liverpool
    The Alder
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Charles Oppenheimer (1875–1961)

    San Francesco, Assisi, Italy
    Charles Oppenheimer (1875–1961)
    Oil on canvas
    H 57 x W 90 cm
    University of Liverpool
    San Francesco, Assisi, Italy
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • William Charles Penn (1877–1968)

    Stanley Reed (1908–1978)
    William Charles Penn (1877–1968)
    Oil on board
    H 39.7 x W 24.4 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Stanley Reed (1908–1978)
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Anne Estelle Rice (1877–1959)

    Spring, Regent's Park, London
    Anne Estelle Rice (1877–1959)
    Oil on canvas
    H 59 x W 71 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Spring, Regent's Park, London
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Bridget Riley (b.1931)

    Study for 'Ra' 1980
    Bridget Riley (b.1931)
    Gouache & pencil
    H 110 x W 82.5 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Study for 'Ra'
    © courtesy the artist and Karsten Schubert, London 2011. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • William Rothenstein (1872–1945)

    The Right Honourable Charles Booth (1840–1916)
    William Rothenstein (1872–1945)
    Oil on canvas
    H 125 x W 100 cm
    University of Liverpool
    The Right Honourable Charles Booth (1840–1916)
    Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Adrian Scott Stokes (1854–1935)

    Early Spring in the Austrian Tyrol
    Adrian Scott Stokes (1854–1935)
    Oil on canvas
    H 70 x W 85 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Early Spring in the Austrian Tyrol
    Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Daphne Todd (b.1947)

    Disused Cement Works, Castel del Fels 1976 or before
    Daphne Todd (b.1947)
    Oil on board
    H 84.8 x W 87 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Disused Cement Works, Castel del Fels
    © the artist. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • William Tucker (b.1935)

    Horse IV 1986
    William Tucker (b.1935)
    Bronze
    H 87 x W 67 x D 33 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Horse IV
    © the artist. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Euan Uglow (1932–2000)

    Nude, 12 Vertical Positions from the Eye
    Euan Uglow (1932–2000)
    Oil on board
    H 244 x W 91.5 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Nude, 12 Vertical Positions from the Eye
    © the estate of Euan Uglow / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • William Utermohlen (1933–2007)

    Trenchcoat 1968
    William Utermohlen (1933–2007)
    Oil on canvas
    H 118 x W 76 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Trenchcoat
    © Galerie Beckel Odille Boïcos, Paris. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Elisabeth Vellacott (1905–2002)

    The Cellist with a Cat 1991
    Elisabeth Vellacott (1905–2002)
    Tempera on panel
    H 65 x W 76 cm
    University of Liverpool
    The Cellist with a Cat
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Sam Walsh (1934–1989)

    William Burroughs (1914–1997)
    Sam Walsh (1934–1989)
    Oil on board
    H 91 x W 91 cm
    University of Liverpool
    William Burroughs (1914–1997)
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Charles Alexander Wells (1898–1989)

    Mount Pleasant
    Charles Alexander Wells (1898–1989)
    Oil on canvas
    H 50 x W 34 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Mount Pleasant
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Jack Coburn Witherop (1906–1984)

    Portreath, Cornwall 1956
    Jack Coburn Witherop (1906–1984)
    Tempera on panel
    H 55.8 x W 68 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Portreath, Cornwall
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Bryan Wynter (1915–1975)

    Far Shore, 1963
    Bryan Wynter (1915–1975)
    Oil on canvas
    H 183 x W 122 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Far Shore, 1963
    © estate of Bryan Wynter. All rights reserved, DACS 2024. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Frederick Yates (1922–2008)

    Cornwall, Summer '75
    Frederick Yates (1922–2008)
    Oil on board
    H 88 x W 123 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Cornwall, Summer '75
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Liverpool

  • Richard Young (1921–2003)

    Morning Interior 1957
    Richard Young (1921–2003)
    Oil on panel
    H 131 x W 180 cm
    University of Liverpool
    Morning Interior
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Liverpool