Art Collections of Liverpool

In recent years, Liverpool has undergone a cultural renaissance: its majestic waterfront architecture has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, and the city is still basking in its success as European Capital of Culture.

Throughout the centuries, Liverpool has benefitted from substantial artistic patronage, and is now home to a wealth of works by the Pre-Raphaelites. The Walker Art Gallery, opened in 1877, is known as the National Gallery of the North, and contains a magnificent collection of Old Master and Pre-Raphaelite works, which we will explore in depth on a guided visit.

The Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight was a gift from the first Viscount Leverhulme in 1922 to his soap factory employees, and contains the country’s largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings, as well as an exquisite collection of 18th century English furniture and decorative Wedgwood.

Modern and contemporary art will also feature on our tour, with an excursion to see Sir Antony Gormley’s remarkable series of 100 cast-iron figures on Crosby beach, and a visit to Tate Liverpool, located on Albert Dock. Opened in 1846, this historical waterfront was once a treasure house of precious cargoes from all over the world, and today it is home to a number of museums.

We will also make a special visit to one of Merseyside’s hidden treasures: the stately home of Knowsley Hall. Historical seat of the Earls of Derby, the Hall is not frequently open to the public, and boasts extremely fine Jacobean, Baroque and Victorian interiors.

We will stay throughout at the four-star Crowne Plaza Liverpool City Centre, located on the city’s waterfront.

This tour will be led by Stella Lyons, BA, MA, an art history lecturer and speaker accredited with the Arts Society. Stella studied at the universities of Bristol and Warwick, and lectures regularly throughout the UK, Europe and in Asia. Her particular interests include 19th century British art, American figurative artists from the 20th century, and Renaissance Italian art, having spent a year studying at the British Institute in Florence and in Venice.