Our collection broadly traces the major developments in Western European art from around 1340 to the present day, including 17^th century Baroque painting.

Birmingham’s collection was mostly bought in the post-War period under the directorship of Trenchard Cox (1944-56) and continued throughout the 1950s and 1960s by his successors. Grant funding, public appeals, and occasional joint acquisition helped us get more objects.

Includes:

• paintings by Bellini, Botticelli, Petrus Christus, Pietro Lorenzetti and Simone Martini, notable 18^th century works including paintings by Canaletto and Guardi, and prints and drawings by Pietro da Cortona, Dürer, Rembrandt, Vuillard and Picasso.

• the contemporary art collection includes paintings, works on paper and time-based media by 15 European contemporary artists, acquired through the Art Fund International scheme.