Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Birmingham

he Barber Institute contains one of the finest small collections of European art in the UK. The works have been purchased to fit Lady Barber’s criteria that everything should be of ‘that standard of quality required by the National Gallery or Wallace Collection’. Careful consideration has also been given to making sure that the works provide a comprehensive coverage of the great national schools and the different genres and styles. The outcome is a collection which includes prime examples of the work of many of the greatest artists including Botticelli, Giovanni Bellini, Veronese, Rubens, Van Dyck, Poussin, Claude, Gainsborough, Turner, Ingres, Manet, Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, Gauguin and Magritte. The balance of the collection shifted in 1967 with the acquisition of two exceptional collections, numbering 15,000 Roman, Byzantine, Sasanian, and medieval Islamic coins.

The focal point of the Barber’s display is the outstanding collection of Paintings. These number about about one hundred and fifty, of which the majority are on display. The Barber also has a choice selection of Sculpture and the Decorative Arts, including textiles from Lady Barber’s own collection. The Works on Paper, including prints, drawings and watercolours, is one of the lesser known resources of the Institute — a selection is normally on display in one of the two small galleries specially created for them. The Coin Collection, including the finest group of Byzantine coins in Britain, is a major research resource. This too has it own gallery with changing displays highlighting aspects of the collection.

The earliest parts of the collection from the Ancient Period (Greek and Roman) are primarily coins, though are some sculptures as well and this is also true for the Medieval material. Thereafter, the collections are displayed broadly chronologically in the four main galleries. The Green Gallery contains works from the Renaissance period, that is from about 1300 to 1600. The Red Gallery has mainly paintings from the 17th Century, whilst the Beige Gallery contains work from the 18th Century though it is also often used for exhibitions. Finally, the Blue Gallery contains material from the 19th Century, as well as modern art.