Shipley Art Gallery
Encyclopedia
The Shipley Art Gallery is an art gallery situated in Gateshead
, Tyne and Wear
, England
. It is at the south end of Prince Consort Road, near to Shipcote.
Shipley was a rather enigmatic person about whom little is known. He was born in Gateshead, near High Street. He was a solicitor in the Newcastle
firm of Hoyle, Shipley and Hoyle. From 1884 until his death, he leased Saltwell Park
House, now known as Saltwell Towers. Shipley’s main passion in life was art, and collecting paintings. He bought his first painting when he was sixteen and by the time he died he had amassed a collection of some 2,500 paintings.
On his death, Shipley left £30,000 and all of his pictures to the City of Newcastle, which was to build a new gallery to house the collection. This was to be known as “The Shipley Bequest”. His will specifically excluded the Laing Art Gallery
in Newcastle from benefiting from the bequest, and this clause became the subject of much public discussion, and eventually led to Newcastle's rejection of the bequest. It was only following this that Gateshead Municipal Council was offered the collection. As it was impossible to house all of the paintings, only 359 of the pictures recommended by the executors of Shipley's will were selected. A further group was then added by the Gateshead Committee, bringing the total to 504.
After the sale of the remaining paintings, work began on the new art gallery. The building, which was designed by Mr. Arthur Stockwell, M.S.A. of Newcastle, finally opened on 29 November 1917. The building was designed on classic architectural lines. The front was of stone with an entrance portico that had four Corinthian style stone columns flanked by solid pilasters on either side. These were surmounted by two sculptured figures, one representing the Arts, the other, the Sciences. The figures were the work of Mr. W. Birnie Rhind, R.S.A. of Edinburgh
.
The original 504 pictures represented all the main European schools from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries. Since 1917 the collection has been added to, and now comprises some 10,000 items.
William C. Irving's painting, “Blaydon Races” captures the spirit of the traditional Blaydon Races
, and takes pride of place at the gallery.
Over the last 25 years, the gallery has become established as a national centre for contemporary craftwork. It has built up one of the best collections outside London, which includes ceramics, wood, metal, glass, textiles and furniture. In 2008, the Shipley opened its new Designs for Life gallery which showcases the gallery's collections of contemporary craft and design. The Gallery also hosts a varied programme of temporary exhibitions and has a strong partnership with the V&A Museum in London.
Gateshead
Gateshead is a town in Tyne and Wear, England and is the main settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead. Historically a part of County Durham, it lies on the southern bank of the River Tyne opposite Newcastle upon Tyne and together they form the urban core of Tyneside...
, Tyne and Wear
Tyne and Wear
Tyne and Wear is a metropolitan county in north east England around the mouths of the Rivers Tyne and Wear. It came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is at the south end of Prince Consort Road, near to Shipcote.
Origins
The Shipley Art Gallery first opened to the public in 1917. This was made possible thanks to a bequest it received from wealthy local solicitor and art collector, Joseph Ainsley Davidson Shipley (1822-1909).Shipley was a rather enigmatic person about whom little is known. He was born in Gateshead, near High Street. He was a solicitor in the Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
firm of Hoyle, Shipley and Hoyle. From 1884 until his death, he leased Saltwell Park
Saltwell Park
Saltwell Park is a Victorian park situated in Gateshead, England. The major part of the park was designed by Edward Kemp. Also known as the "People's Park" and part of Gateshead's heritage since it opened to the public in 1876, the park is steeped in history...
House, now known as Saltwell Towers. Shipley’s main passion in life was art, and collecting paintings. He bought his first painting when he was sixteen and by the time he died he had amassed a collection of some 2,500 paintings.
On his death, Shipley left £30,000 and all of his pictures to the City of Newcastle, which was to build a new gallery to house the collection. This was to be known as “The Shipley Bequest”. His will specifically excluded the Laing Art Gallery
Laing Art Gallery
The Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle upon Tyne, England is located on New Bridge Street. It was opened in 1904 and is now managed by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums and sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. In front of the gallery is the Blue Carpet.The gallery holds oil paintings,...
in Newcastle from benefiting from the bequest, and this clause became the subject of much public discussion, and eventually led to Newcastle's rejection of the bequest. It was only following this that Gateshead Municipal Council was offered the collection. As it was impossible to house all of the paintings, only 359 of the pictures recommended by the executors of Shipley's will were selected. A further group was then added by the Gateshead Committee, bringing the total to 504.
After the sale of the remaining paintings, work began on the new art gallery. The building, which was designed by Mr. Arthur Stockwell, M.S.A. of Newcastle, finally opened on 29 November 1917. The building was designed on classic architectural lines. The front was of stone with an entrance portico that had four Corinthian style stone columns flanked by solid pilasters on either side. These were surmounted by two sculptured figures, one representing the Arts, the other, the Sciences. The figures were the work of Mr. W. Birnie Rhind, R.S.A. of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
.
The original 504 pictures represented all the main European schools from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries. Since 1917 the collection has been added to, and now comprises some 10,000 items.
Present gallery
The Gallery itself is an excellent example of Edwardian architecture and is a Grade II listed building.William C. Irving's painting, “Blaydon Races” captures the spirit of the traditional Blaydon Races
Blaydon Races
Blaydon Races is a famous Geordie folk song written in the 19th century by Geordie Ridley, in a style deriving from music hall. It is regarded by many as the unofficial anthem of Tyneside and is frequently sung by supporters of Newcastle United Football Club and Newcastle Falcons rugby club...
, and takes pride of place at the gallery.
Over the last 25 years, the gallery has become established as a national centre for contemporary craftwork. It has built up one of the best collections outside London, which includes ceramics, wood, metal, glass, textiles and furniture. In 2008, the Shipley opened its new Designs for Life gallery which showcases the gallery's collections of contemporary craft and design. The Gallery also hosts a varied programme of temporary exhibitions and has a strong partnership with the V&A Museum in London.