Due to Covid-19 restrictions, venues and exhibitions are closed until further notice. We recommend checking with the venues' own websites for up-to-date information. The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum was founded by Sir Merton (1835–1921) and Lady (1835–1920) Russell-Cotes on Bournemouth's East Cliff at the turn of the twentieth century. The Russell-Cotes is a rare survivor as the residence of a Victorian private collector, which was purpose-designed and perpetuated as a permanent art museum. As a result, our collection of mainly nineteenth and early twentieth-century paintings can be viewed within their original context of sumptuous period interiors. The distinctive tastes and personalities of Sir Merton and Lady Russell-Cotes are still very much preserved within the collection, but our first curators added significantly to it by acquiring some interesting works by key artists. The collection ranges from work reflecting the typical taste of the middle-class Victorian art collector through to paintings given by the War Artists Advisory Committee. Sir Merton was a supporter of female artists and they are well represented in the collection. He also acquired a good number of works by European painters. The early curators of the Museum were strong supporters of the Tempera Revival between the wars and so we have a number of interesting works as a result. The Museum still collects locally relevant art by contemporary artists as well.

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Russell-Cotes Road, East Cliff, Bournemouth, Dorset BH1 3AA England
russellcotes@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
01202 451858
http://www.russellcotes.comPlease remember to double-check the opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit
Stories
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Violet Manners: aristocrat and portraitist to 'The Souls'
Kirsty Stonell Walker
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William Ranken: gorgeous, stately, splendid
Duncan Walker
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Sister art: Doris and Anna Zinkeisen
Alicia Foster
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Seven female Pre-Raphaelites
India Lewis
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The Eurovision art contest
Lydia Figes
Curations
Explore curated collections of artworks
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StorylineHighlights of 'Beyond the Brotherhood: The Pre-Raphaelite Legacy' 21.2.2020–27.9.2020
16 artworks curated by Duncan Walker, Curator
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ShowcaseSelection from 'Hidden Highlights: Life in Lockdown' 24.10.2020-18.4.2021
23 artworks curated by Duncan Walker, Curator
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ShowcaseSea, Land, Air and Home: Art of the Second World War (29.8.2020-22.11.2020)
16 artworks curated by Duncan Walker, Curator
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ShowcaseCharles Frederick Goldie (1870-1947)
5 artworks curated by Duncan Walker, Curator