The Herbert, Coventry

http://www.theherbert.org/

In 1938 the local industrialist, Sir Alfred Herbert, donated funds to the city of Coventry to pay for the construction of an art gallery and museum. The gallery was built to designs by Sir Alfred's nephew, the architect Albert Herbert. The gallery was not completed until 1960 due to the devastation of the city during the Second World War. The Herbert has recently undergone a contemporary redevelopment by architects Pringle Richards Sharratt.

The original policy of the gallery was to collect mainly British art that portrays life and landscape. Abstract art first began to be collected in 1963; the gallery has also gathered a collection of Expressionist and Modernist works.

The craft collection consists of approximately two hundred and fifty works, including a diverse mix of ceramics and bronzes from China, Korea, Japan, the Middle East and North America. There are several pieces of Arts and Crafts ware and a small selection of Art Deco ceramics as well as a collection of textiles and folk art.

The new development of buildings has created large gallery spaces for the engaging temporary exhibition programme.

Editor's note:
The lofty contemporary entrance leads through to a reception and shop. The Peace and Reconciliation gallery is the first of a number of galleries. Upstairs the modern collection is hung in interesting groups and includes studies for the Sutherland tapestry commissioned for Coventry Cathedral. A visit to the museum in combination with the nearby Cathedral is a must.