The Whitworth

Art and Culture in Manchester

"The Whitworth Art Gallery is located south of the city center, past the spikes and columns of the University of Manchester. Free to visit and open daily between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM, the Whitworth was established as a gallery for the common folk over 120 years ago, and it has maintained its mission ever since. Set back from the clamor of Oxford Road, the outside of the building is imposing and solid — redder than a firetruck and grander than a piano. Inside, there are galleries of textiles and prints and paintings by artists of international significance.Central to the gallery’s fame, though, is its collection of historic watercolours and drawings, which began life as a section of the Royal Jubilee Exhibition in 1887. The press gave such enthusiastic reviews for the display of Romantic English painting and drawing that the gallery became a beacon for 18th- and 19th-century works, including some by Thomas Gainsborough and J.M.W. Turner. The historic paintings are rotated in and out of the temporary exhibitions rather than being on permanent display, so check upcoming listings for what you can see.One thing you can always see is the unrivalled collection of wallpaper, which is more interesting than it could possibly sound. The installation of giant glass windows in 2015 brought in a light which mellowed the hard stone. It also allowed for the redevelopment of a café, which serves excellent seasonal food and overlooks neighboring Whitworth Park." - MATADOR_NETWORK