The Collection, Lincoln

http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/section.asp?sectiontype=listmixed&catid=3487

The Collection is a new museum of art and archaeology. It opened to the public in October 2005 as a joint initiative between City of Lincoln Council and Lincolnshire County Council, replacing the original City and County Museum, which had been open since 1906. The new building was designed by architects Panter Hudspith and incorporates Lincoln’s existing Usher Gallery, which sits adjacent to the new building.

The museum is home to a comprehensive collection of artists’ works that are associated with the county of Lincolnshire.

Significant 19th-century Lincolnshire artists include Frank Bramley, William Warrener and Peter de Wint. There are also a number of still life and landscape paintings by modern artists, including Vanessa Bell, Leon Underwood and Ivon Hitchens.

The gallery has an active acquisitions programme for contemporary work. The new building incorporates a permanent work by Richard Wilson. The gallery collection includes pieces by Fiona Banner, Peter Diog, Tacita Dean, Craigie Aitchison and Grayson Perry.

The gallery has a substantial collection of English, European and Oriental ceramics and glass, including pieces from the Torksey and Pinxton Factories. Complementing the display of its permanent collection, the Collection hosts a number of temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

Please note that the Usher Gallery is currently closed for refurbishment and will reopen in autumn 2010.

Editor's note:
The Usher Gallery is set in lovely gardens on the hillside that climbs up to the Cathedral. The house itself has an intimacy which benefits the beautiful array of furniture, clocks and decorative arts, alongside lovely works by Turner, Piper and Lowry.