Curations

20th Century spotlight: Wolverhampton Art Gallery

David Saywell, Head of Digital Assets

Wolverhampton Art Gallery

Established in 1884, the 20th Century fine art holdings of Wolverhampton Art Gallery were built up thanks in part to gifts, such as one made by Frank Brangwyn. The arrival of David Rodgers as Curator in 1969 saw the acquisition of a significant number of British and American Pop Art artworks, now displayed in their own gallery space. The gallery has strong holdings of artworks by local artists, including Alfred Egerton Cooper and Edwin Butler Bayliss. In the 1990s the collections of the Bilston Museum and Art Gallery were transferred to Wolverhampton.

Artists featured in this Curation: William Herbert Allen (1863–1943), Adrian Paul Allinson (1890–1959), John Armstrong (1893–1973), Delmar Harmood Banner (1896–1983), John Banting (1902–1972), Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (1912–2004), Bob Barron (b.1943), Edwin Butler Bayliss (1874–1950), John Bellany (1942–2013), Elinor Bellingham-Smith (1906–1988), and 61 more
70 artworks
Storyline Album Showcase

  • William Herbert Allen (1863–1943)

    Street Market
    William Herbert Allen (1863–1943)
    Oil on canvas
    H 51 x W 41.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Street Market
    Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Adrian Paul Allinson (1890–1959)

    Jug of Flowers
    Adrian Paul Allinson (1890–1959)
    Oil on canvas
    H 68.5 x W 56 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Jug of Flowers
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • John Armstrong (1893–1973)

    Organ Pipes 1929
    John Armstrong (1893–1973)
    Oil on canvas
    H 56 x W 76 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Organ Pipes
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Delmar Harmood Banner (1896–1983)

    September White Grass 1944–1945
    Delmar Harmood Banner (1896–1983)
    Oil on canvas
    H 63.5 x W 86.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    September White Grass
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • John Banting (1902–1972)

    Card Players 1937
    John Banting (1902–1972)
    Oil on board
    H 43 x W 57 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Card Players
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (1912–2004)

    Glacier (Red and Blue) 1950
    Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (1912–2004)
    Oil on canvas
    H 62 x W 75 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Glacier (Red and Blue)
    © Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Bob Barron (b.1943)

    Suburban Summer Evenings 1980–1986
    Bob Barron (b.1943)
    Acrylic on canvas
    H 129 x W 107 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Suburban Summer Evenings
    © the artist. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Edwin Butler Bayliss (1874–1950)

    Blast Furnaces, Night
    Edwin Butler Bayliss (1874–1950)
    Oil on board
    H 21 x W 27 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Blast Furnaces, Night
    Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • John Bellany (1942–2013)

    Self Portrait with Alan Davie 1985
    John Bellany (1942–2013)
    Oil on canvas
    H 172.5 x W 172.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Self Portrait with Alan Davie
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Bridgeman Images

  • Elinor Bellingham-Smith (1906–1988)

    Low Tide, Putney
    Elinor Bellingham-Smith (1906–1988)
    Oil on canvas
    H 63.5 x W 76 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Low Tide, Putney
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Tony Bevan (b.1951)

    The Meeting 1992
    Tony Bevan (b.1951)
    Acrylic on canvas
    H 90 x W 81 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    The Meeting
    © the artist. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Peter Blake (b.1932)

    Cigarette Pack 1959–1960
    Peter Blake (b.1932)
    Oil on board
    H 18.5 x W 16 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Cigarette Pack
    © Peter Blake. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Norman Charles Blamey (1914–2000)

    Camp Barber 1930–1947
    Norman Charles Blamey (1914–2000)
    Oil on canvas
    H 61 x W 51 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Camp Barber
    © estate of Norman Blamey. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Emily Beatrice Bland (1864–1951)

    Flower Piece early 1930s
    Emily Beatrice Bland (1864–1951)
    Oil on canvas
    H 61 x W 50.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Flower Piece
    Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Maurice Blond (1899–1974)

    Woman in a Hat
    Maurice Blond (1899–1974)
    Oil on canvas
    H 51 x W 40.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Woman in a Hat
    © ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2025. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Esther Borough Johnson (1866–1958)

    The Round Pond 1934
    Esther Borough Johnson (1866–1958)
    Oil on canvas
    H 50.5 x W 76 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    The Round Pond
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Pauline Boty (1938–1966)

    Colour Her Gone 1962
    Pauline Boty (1938–1966)
    Oil on canvas
    H 121.9 x W 121.9 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Colour Her Gone
    © Courtesy of the Pauline Boty Estate. Image credit: The Boty Family

  • Frank Brangwyn (1867–1956)

    Joy on the Beach
    Frank Brangwyn (1867–1956)
    Oil on board
    H 63.5 x W 76 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Joy on the Beach
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Bridgeman Images

  • Amy Katherine Browning (1881–1978)

    At the Window
    Amy Katherine Browning (1881–1978)
    Oil on canvas
    H 101.5 x W 76 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    At the Window
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Patrick Caulfield (1936–2005)

    Tandoori Restaurant 1971
    Patrick Caulfield (1936–2005)
    Acrylic on canvas
    H 274 x W 152.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Tandoori Restaurant
    © the estate of Patrick Caulfield. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Alfred Egerton Cooper (1883–1974)

    Lady in Red Velvet
    Alfred Egerton Cooper (1883–1974)
    Oil on canvas
    H 103 x W 87 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Lady in Red Velvet
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Eileen Cooper (b.1953)

    Tiger, Tiger 1985–1992
    Eileen Cooper (b.1953)
    Oil on canvas
    H 168.5 x W 126.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Tiger, Tiger
    © Eileen Cooper / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • William Harold Dudley (1890–1949)

    Old Polperro
    William Harold Dudley (1890–1949)
    Oil on canvas
    H 101.5 x W 126.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Old Polperro
    Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Florence Engelbach (1872–1951)

    Peonies
    Florence Engelbach (1872–1951)
    Oil on canvas
    H 66 x W 57 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Peonies
    Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Joseph Fereday (1917–2001)

    Catchem's Corner, Bilston
    Joseph Fereday (1917–2001)
    Oil on canvas
    H 56 x W 76 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Catchem's Corner, Bilston
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Bernard Fleetwood-Walker (1893–1965)

    Christine
    Bernard Fleetwood-Walker (1893–1965)
    Oil on board
    H 91.5 x W 101.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Christine
    © the estate of Mrs P. Fleetwood-Walker. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Clifford Frith (b.1924)

    Julie
    Clifford Frith (b.1924)
    Oil on board
    H 21 x W 14.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Julie
    © the artist. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Ethel Léontine Gabain (1883–1950)

    Reading
    Ethel Léontine Gabain (1883–1950)
    Oil on canvas
    H 40.5 x W 51 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Reading
    Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Mary Gwenillan Gibson (1888–1966)

    Angel
    Mary Gwenllian Gibson (1888–1966)
    Oil on board
    H 55 x W 45 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Angel
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Albert Goodwin (1845–1932)

    The City of Glittering Light 1905
    Albert Goodwin (1845–1932)
    Oil on canvas
    H 96.5 x W 111.1 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    The City of Glittering Light
    Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Laura Sylvia Gosse (1881–1968)

    Breton Woman
    Laura Sylvia Gosse (1881–1968)
    Oil on canvas
    H 61 x W 48.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Breton Woman
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Bridgeman Images

  • Duncan Grant (1885–1978)

    Penns in the Rocks 1930
    Duncan Grant (1885–1978)
    Oil on board
    H 45.5 x W 54.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Penns in the Rocks
    © Estate of Duncan Grant. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Fairlie Harmar (1876–1945)

    Ships on the Thames
    Fairlie Harmar (1876–1945)
    Oil on canvas
    H 66 x W 86.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Ships on the Thames
    Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Harold Charles Harvey (1874–1941)

    The Little Maiden 1934
    Harold Charles Harvey (1874–1941)
    Oil on canvas
    H 50 x W 45 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    The Little Maiden
    Image credit: Bridgeman Images

  • Patricia Preece (1894–1966) or Dorothy Hepworth (1894–1978)

    The Visitor
    Patricia Preece (1894–1966) or Dorothy Hepworth (1894–1978)
    Oil on canvas
    H 68.5 x W 51 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    The Visitor
    © the copyright holders. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Tristram Paul Hillier (1905–1983)

    Viseu, Portugal 1947
    Tristram Paul Hillier (1905–1983)
    Oil on linen
    H 59.5 x W 80 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Viseu, Portugal
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Lubaina Himid (b.1954)

    Invasion 1992
    Lubaina Himid (b.1954)
    Acrylic on canvas
    H 213.5 x W 152.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Invasion
    © the artist. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Peter Howson (b.1958)

    Wolverhampton Dream 2000
    Peter Howson (b.1958)
    Oil on canvas
    H 183 x W 244 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Wolverhampton Dream
    © Peter Howson. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Ras Vince Joseph (active 1980s)

    Dread in Moonlight
    Ras Vince Joseph (active 1980s)
    Oil on panel
    H 60 x W 39 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Dread in Moonlight
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • John Keane (b.1954)

    Freedom of the Press 1991
    John Keane (b.1954)
    Oil on canvas
    H 213 x W 169 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Freedom of the Press
    © the artist/courtesy Flowers Gallery, London and New York. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Laura Knight (1877–1970)

    Sundown 1940–1947
    Laura Knight (1877–1970)
    Oil on canvas
    H 61 x W 91.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Sundown
    © reproduced with permission of the estate of Dame Laura Knight, DBE, RA / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • John Latham (1921–2006)

    Cosmic Blood 1994
    John Latham (1921–2006)
    Spray paint & acrylic on canvas
    H 26.5 x W 14 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Cosmic Blood
    © courtesy The John Latham Foundation. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • John Leigh-Pemberton (1911–1997)

    The Gallery Objects 1925–1935
    John Leigh-Pemberton (1911–1997)
    Oil on canvas
    H 63.5 x W 76 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    The Gallery Objects
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Roy Lichtenstein (1923–1997)

    Purist Painting with Bottles 1975
    Roy Lichtenstein (1923–1997)
    Oil on canvas
    H 203 x W 137 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Purist Painting with Bottles
    © the estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2025. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Diana Low (1911–1975)

    Sir William Nicholson (1872–1949) 1920–1936
    Diana Low (1911–1975)
    Oil on canvas
    H 52 x W 67.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Sir William Nicholson (1872–1949)
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Thomas Esmond Lowinsky (1892–1947)

    The Mask of Flora
    Thomas Esmond Lowinsky (1892–1947)
    Oil on canvas
    H 31 x W 27.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    The Mask of Flora
    Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • David Mach (b.1956)

    Likeness Guaranteed 1994
    David Mach (b.1956)
    Metal
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Likeness Guaranteed
    © the artist. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Jock McFadyen (b.1950)

    A Tinge of Yellow 1988
    Jock McFadyen (b.1950)
    Oil on canvas
    H 178 x W 101.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    A Tinge of Yellow
    © the artist. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Bernard Meninsky (1891–1950)

    Still Life 1926
    Bernard Meninsky (1891–1950)
    Oil on canvas
    H 46 x W 61.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Still Life
    Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • John Northcote Nash (1893–1977)

    The Farm Pond 1940
    John Northcote Nash (1893–1977)
    Oil on canvas
    H 64.1 x W 76.8 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    The Farm Pond
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Paul Nash (1889–1946)

    The Pond at Souldern 1926
    Paul Nash (1889–1946)
    Oil on canvas
    H 71 x W 92 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    The Pond at Souldern
    Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Humphrey Ocean (b.1951)

    Lord Volvo and his Estate 1982
    Humphrey Ocean (b.1951)
    Acrylic on canvas
    H 178 x W 287.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Lord Volvo and his Estate
    © Humphrey Ocean. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Tom Phillips (1937–2022)

    Art Gallery and Gardens, Wolverhampton 1970
    Tom Phillips (1937–2022)
    Oil on canvas
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Art Gallery and Gardens, Wolverhampton
    © All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Alan Reynolds (1926–2014)

    Polyphonic Autumn 1954
    Alan Reynolds (1926–2014)
    Oil on canvas
    H 30.5 x W 39.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Polyphonic Autumn
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)

    Kit (Katie Bissett-Smith née Knewstub, 1907–2008) 1923
    William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
    Oil on canvas
    H 51 x W 40.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Kit (Katie Bissett-Smith née Knewstub, 1907–2008)
    © estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • John Amhurst Selby-Bigge (1892–1973)

    Wood Forms 1941
    John Amhurst Selby-Bigge (1892–1973)
    Oil on board
    H 51 x W 49 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Wood Forms
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Harold Speed (1872–1957)

    Llyn Gwynant after Rain
    Harold Speed (1872–1957)
    Oil on canvas
    H 40.5 x W 68.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Llyn Gwynant after Rain
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Stanley Spencer (1891–1959)

    Chestnuts 1935–1945
    Stanley Spencer (1891–1959)
    Oil on paper
    H 39.5 x W 25 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Chestnuts
    © the estate of Stanley Spencer. All rights reserved / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • John Humphrey Spender (1910–2005)

    Atomic Flower 1939–1940
    John Humphrey Spender (1910–2005)
    Oil on canvas
    H 51 x W 61 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Atomic Flower
    © the Humphrey Spender Archive. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • William Strang (1859–1921)

    John Masefield (1878–1967) 1909
    William Strang (1859–1921)
    Oil on canvas
    H 122 x W 122 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    John Masefield (1878–1967)
    Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • John Tunnard (1900–1971)

    Pink Composition 1940s
    John Tunnard (1900–1971)
    Oil on board
    H 51 x W 41.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Pink Composition
    © the estate of John Tunnard. All rights reserved. DACS 2025. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Richard Twentyman (1903–1979)

    Pigeon Loft, Sedgley
    Richard Twentyman (1903–1979)
    Oil on board
    H 45 x W 61 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Pigeon Loft, Sedgley
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Enid Marjorie Vale (1890–1968)

    The Mountain Barrier 1944
    Enid Marjorie Vale (1890–1968)
    Oil on board
    H 49.5 x W 65 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    The Mountain Barrier
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Edward Alexander Wadsworth (1889–1949)

    Ship Building
    Edward Alexander Wadsworth (1889–1949)
    Oil on canvas
    H 205.5 x W 155 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Ship Building
    Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Alfred Wallis (1855–1942)

    A Brig, Close to Shore 1930–1942
    Alfred Wallis (1855–1942)
    Oil on board
    H 24 x W 28 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    A Brig, Close to Shore
    Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Carel Victor Morlais Weight (1908–1997)

    Essex Landscape
    Carel Victor Morlais Weight (1908–1997)
    Oil on board
    H 38 x W 48 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Essex Landscape
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Irene Welburn (1910–2000)

    Nurse Brown
    Irene Welburn (1910–2000)
    Oil on canvas
    H 66 x W 56 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Nurse Brown
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Christopher Wood (1901–1930)

    Still Life with Cards and Pipe
    Christopher Wood (1901–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 27 x W 45.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Still Life with Cards and Pipe
    Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • David Wright (b.1942)

    Blackpool Pier 1960
    David Wright (b.1942)
    Oil on canvas
    H 45.5 x W 62 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    Blackpool Pier
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Thomas Brown Yates (1882–1968)

    From My Garden 1935 or before
    Thomas Brown Yates (1882–1968)
    Oil on canvas
    H 76 x W 63.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    From My Garden
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

Explore artists in this Curation

View all 71
  • Boathouse Walk Bridge, Commercial Way
    Clifford Frith (b.1924)
  • John Banting
    Bernard Meninsky (1891–1950)
  • The Printer
    Laura Sylvia Gosse (1881–1968)
  • Sunburnt Nymph
    Ethel Léontine Gabain (1883–1950)
  • The Blacksmiths
    Frank Brangwyn (1867–1956)
  • Corn Stooks, Farnham
    William Herbert Allen (1863–1943)
  • Variation on the Form of an Anchor
    Tristram Paul Hillier (1905–1983)
  • Composition
    John Amhurst Selby-Bigge (1892–1973)
  • Ankledeep
    Lubaina Himid (b.1954)
  • The Round Pond
    Esther Borough Johnson (1866–1958)
  • View all 71
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