Stoke-on-Trent Art Gallery

In comparison to similar cities, the fine art collection in Stoke-on-Trent was late in developing. It began in earnest in 1926 when a local medical practitioner one Dr John Russell gave his collection of French Impression paintings to the City on condition that it built an Art Gallery. The Russell Art Gallery as it then was, opened in 1927 in just two rooms adjoining Hanley Museum the latter of which subsequently became the centre for temporary art exhibitions in the Potteries. Artists in the contemporary collection include Grayson Perry, Gavin Turk and Mark Wallinger. Also well represented are the Scottish Colourists, Camden Town Group and British Surrealist by Eileen Agar and Conroy Maddox.

The well-respected print collection includes works given by the War Artists Advisory Committee and an important series by Francisco de Goya’s 'Los Proverbos' as well as French artists Eduard Manet, Toulouse Lautrec and Degas. 20th century British prints including are present with work by Henry Moore, Laura Knight, Eric Gill and James Whistler as well as paintings by Adrian Paul Allinson, Dorothy Annan, Michael Ayrton, Jiri Borsky, Edward Le Bas, John Currie, Mark Gertler, L.S. Lowry, Robert Macbryde, Dod Procter and Julian Trevelyan. Although the sculpture collection is small, there are important works by Rodin, Alfred Gilbert and Jacob Epstein.

In 2012 the Museum held an exhibition entitled 'Artists and Printmakers'. It particularly concentrated on the work of the Senefelder Group shown rare works from the museum's own collection.