Usher Gallery

James Ward Usher (1845-1921) a local watchmaker, entrepreneur and art collector bequeathed his collection to the city of Lincoln. This was to form the core of the eponymous Usher Gallery which opened in 1927 five years after his demise. A major relocation took place in 2005 when The Collection, Lincoln as it is now termed was rehoused in a new purpose designed building designed by architects Panter Hudspith and incorporates Lincoln’s existing Usher Gallery, which sits adjacent to the new building. Further alterations took place in 2009 and lasted about 12 months during which time the gallery was closed.

The fine art collections features paintings, prints, drawings and sculpture dating from the 16th Century to the present day. Artists in the collection include Lincolnshire connected Frank Bramley, William Logsdail, C.H. Shannon and William Warrener. The great watercolourist Peter de Wint who, through marriage, became closely associated with the city is represented by the most important body of his works in the country. Other artists of national importance include Joseph Mallord Turner, Benjamin West, George Stubbs, Vanessa Bell, George Clausen, Ivon Hitchens, Alfred Munnings, LS Lowry, John Piper, Anne Redpath and Leon Underwood. More recent acquisitions are represented by the works of Craigie Aitchison, Edward Allington, Tacita Dean, Peter Diog, Grayson Perry, Kenneth Rowntree and Jo Volley.