Topographical Views

Human History Collection

How can we show the changing landscape of Birmingham? The collection comprises 10,700 prints, drawings, watercolours, postcards, photographs and paintings depicting every district of Birmingham, and its people and places, from the earliest known views of the town created in the 18th century up to the present.

Portraits of Birmingham people include artists, political and civic figures, manufacturers and businesspeople, scientists and medical professionals as well as families, and working people. The collection also includes material depicting parts of Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire and Shropshire, as well as Wales and Scotland, reflecting the wider interests of some of Birmingham’s topographical artists.

Image gallery

  • Painting, an ariel view of a factory set among green fields. Lettering on the grass reads: Cadbury Bournville
  • Old etching showing a distant view of a built-up town with church spires and smoking factory chimneys
  • Engraved print showing view from a hill of a built-up town with church spires and smoking factory chimneys
  • Etching of a panoramic view of a town showing church spires and a windmill
  • Tea tray with painted image of 19th century street with church
  • Painting of a wide street in a town, there are farm animals and people filling the street
  • Painting of a 19th century town square scene, with lots of people milling about
  • Painting of 19th century street scene busy with people
  • Landscape painting - a panoramic view of a 19th century industrial town
  • Painting - a panoramic landscape of a smoky industrial town, a person on horseback and a flock of sheep can be seen in the foreground
  • Painting of a dirt road surrounded by brick built houses, there is a church spire in the distance
  • Painting - a panoramic view of a town from the top of a tall building there are green fields amongst densly packed housing
  • Full length portrait painting of a seated man in 18th century clothing, wearing a white wig and carrying a scroll
  • 17th century portrait painting of a woman wearing dark clothing on a dark background
  • 17th century portrait of a man in dark clothing on a dark background
  • Minature oval portrait painting of a man in a light grey suit
  • 19th century photograph of a man wearing a three-cornered hat, carrying a bell and holding up a long pole
  • Portrait painting of a woman in a large brimmed hat wearing a white ruff, the sleeves of the dress are oversized and striped with black and white
  • Painting, portrait of a woman
  • Painting, 19th century portrait of a man with a child, palm trees can be seen in the background
  • Painting - a portrait of a woman