Ferens Art Gallery

Ferens Art Gallery is a major public art museum located in the city centre of Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire. Opened in 1927, the gallery was established through the philanthropy of local shipowner Thomas Ferens and forms a central part of the city's cultural quarter. Its collections span from early European art to modern and contemporary works, with particular strengths in British portraiture, Dutch Golden Age painting, and Marine art. The gallery is a key component of the Hull Museums service and underwent a significant refurbishment in 2017 when Hull was the UK City of Culture.

History

The gallery's establishment was made possible by a generous donation from Thomas Ferens, a prominent Liberal Member of Parliament and director of the Reckitt and Sons company. The building was officially opened by the Duke of York, later King George VI, in 1927, cementing its role in the cultural life of Hull. For much of its history, it operated under the auspices of Hull City Council, with its collections growing through bequests and purchases. A pivotal moment occurred in 1991 when the gallery received the Hull Grundy Art Collection, a major bequest of jewelry and decorative arts. Its most extensive redevelopment was completed in 2017 in preparation for Hull UK City of Culture 2017, which included essential conservation work and the creation of new exhibition spaces to host prestigious loans.

Collection

The permanent collection is renowned for its significant holdings of Old Master paintings, including important works from the Dutch Golden Age such as Frans Hals's *The Laughing Cavalier* and paintings by Antonio da Correggio. The British art collection features major works by Thomas Gainsborough, Joshua Reynolds, and William Hogarth, alongside a strong selection of Victorian art. The gallery holds an important collection of Marine art, reflecting Hull's maritime heritage, with works by artists like J.M.W. Turner and John Ward of Hull. Modern and contemporary works include pieces by David Hockney, Gillian Ayres, and Helen Chadwick, while the Hull Grundy Art Collection adds a world-class array of Renaissance and later jewelry.

Architecture

The original building was designed in a neoclassical style by the architects S.N. Cooke and E.C. Davies, featuring a grand portico and a central dome that dominates Queen Victoria Square. The 2017 redevelopment, led by the architectural firm Stanton Williams, sensitively restored the historic fabric while inserting modern, light-filled galleries. Key additions included a new entrance foyer improving access from the square and a dedicated education studio. The redesign also enhanced the display of the permanent collection and created flexible spaces capable of hosting major international exhibitions, physically connecting the gallery more closely with the adjacent Hull City Hall.

Notable exhibitions

The gallery has a strong tradition of hosting ambitious temporary exhibitions, significantly enhanced by the 2017 refurbishment. It served as a primary venue during Hull UK City of Culture 2017, presenting exhibitions such as *Francis Bacon: Nervous System* and *Skincare: The Paintings of Lynette Yiadom-Boakye*. It has staged major surveys of artists including Lee Miller and Pablo Picasso, and hosted the prestigious Turner Prize in 2017, the first time the award was held in Yorkshire. Other notable shows have focused on themes like Russian art from the Royal Academy of Arts and contemporary British sculpture, often drawing loans from institutions like the Tate and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Management and access

The gallery is managed by Hull City Council as part of the city's museums service. Admission to the permanent collection is free, in line with the policy of many national Museums in the United Kingdom. It is located in the heart of the city's cultural quarter, adjacent to Hull New Theatre and the Hull Maritime Museum. The venue is fully accessible and offers a wide range of public programs, including lectures, workshops, and community events. Its operations and acquisitions are supported by the Friends of the Ferens organization and funding from bodies like the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Category:Art museums and galleries in East Riding of Yorkshire Category:Grade II listed buildings in Kingston upon Hull Category:Museums in Kingston upon Hull Category:1927 establishments in England