Historic Art

A foundation stone of the Whitworth’s internationally renowned collection, historic prints and drawings (pre-1880) have been a part of the gallery since it was established in 1887.

Led by the Whitworth’s early founders and supporters the Whitworth’s early collecting policy deliberately reacted against popular trends by favouring British watercolours over more ‘fashionable’ oil paintings. 

This is reflected in its collection of major works by Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788), Alexander (1717-1786) and John Robert Cozens (1752-1797) and Thomas Girtin (1775-1802). The gallery also holds one of the most important collections of watercolours outside London by J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851).

Alongside drawings, the Whitworth is equally celebrated for its print collection which contains some of the finest and rarest impressions by artists such as Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528), Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) and William Blake (1757-1827).

Today, the historic collection continues to evolve; inspiring new research through our innovative partnerships with the academic community. Our collecting policy and exhibition programme are also actively seeking to disrupt historic imbalances that exist to strengthen the collection and to ensure wider representation and diversity.

While many of our exhibitions are made up from works in our permanent collection, for conservation reasons the Whitworth has nothing on permanent display. For more information about our current and forthcoming exhibitions see what’s on at the gallery or find out more about the history of the Whitworth.

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Image: Albrecht Dürer, Saint Anthony Before the Town, 1519
Courtesy, The Whitworth, The University of Manchester

On display in Albrecht Durer’s material world (30 June 2023 – 10 March 2024)