DATE: 7 November 2022

Make a discovery in this brand new display of treasures from the York Art Gallery Stores!

An exciting new and free display is set to open at York Art Gallery on 19 November 2022, featuring an incredible array of works fresh from the gallery’s stores. Treasures from the Stores will showcase artworks that haven’t been on display before, or for a long time, including Andy Warhol’s ‘Marilyn Monroe’, alongside some of the most loved jewels of the collection.

York Art Gallery’s collection was established in 1882 and through gifts, bequests and purchases has now grown to include over 1,000 paintings, 100 sculptures, 14,000 works on paper, and 6,000 ceramics which form the Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA). The gallery can only display a relatively small selection of works at a time, with the majority of the collection being stored in the ‘Friends of York Art Gallery Fine Art Store’.

This innovative exhibition will highlight iconic paintings, considered by some to be the gems of York’s collection, such as the sixteenth century ‘Portrait of a Man with a Book’ by Parmigianino; works that have not been on display for many years such as Thomas Barker’s eighteenth century ‘Crazy Kate’, as well as new acquisitions including the portrait of ‘Una Marson’ by internationally celebrated artist Sahara Longe. There are also treasures which can be discovered anew following research or restoration, and some, like ‘Unknown Lady as Saint Elizabeth’ which remain a mystery.

Jenny Alexander, Associate Collections Curator at York Museums Trust said: ‘It’s been amazing to delve into the gallery’s stores to select works for this new display, although the works we’ve selected here are just the tip of the iceberg. There’s such a variety of works in the free-to-visit exhibition, and we hope visitors will enjoy learning about and be inspired by the treasures from our incredible collection. It’s exciting that visitors will be seeing some works for the first time, but will also have the chance to see firm favourites on display once again!”

‘Treasures from the Stores’ opens on 19 November 2022 and is free to visit.

To find out more and book tickets please visit Treasures from the Stores | York Art Gallery