Welcome to Objects in Focus at the VG&M

This Blog will focus on individual objects from our extensive fine and decorative art collections and the museum heritage collections. You will be regulary treated to an in-depth look into both familiar and unfamiliar artworks and objects, discovering some of the secrets and stories behind them.

You might recognise some objects from display, but others from departmental teaching collections will be seen publicly for the first time.

Freud and his friend - The Harry Diamond portraitsFreud and his friend - The Harry Diamond portraits

Freud and his friend - The Harry Diamond portraits

Lucian Freud was one of the most famous British artists of recent times. To celebrate the centenary of his birth on 8 December 1922 we are taking a close look at his painting Paddington Interior, Harry Diamond in the VG&M collection and the three other portraits of this particular friend.

Posted on: 8 December 2022

The Leaning Tower of LiverpoolThe Leaning Tower of Liverpool

The Leaning Tower of Liverpool

Our iconic clock tower is part of the university’s flagship building and helps our visitors to locate us. We can be heard across campus every 15 minutes as our bells chime and mark the passing of time and in this blog we find out more about the clock, tower and bells on the 130th anniversary of the Jubilee Clock Tower’s opening ceremony.

Posted on: 15 November 2022

Big Bird Takes FlightBig Bird Takes Flight

Big Bird Takes Flight

Big Bird by Sir Frank Bowling RA is one of the largest paintings in our collection and has been loaned to several prestigious London exhibitions. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the painting and the logistics involved in its journeys.

Posted on: 17 October 2022

The Slate Above the TateThe Slate Above the Tate

The Slate Above the Tate

You may have noticed that our museum is temporarily closed. In this blog we take a look at the history of the Tate Hall Museum and also the current project to renovate the roof.

Posted on: 3 October 2022

Heritage Open Days - The Wonderful World of Waterhouse Heritage Open Days - The Wonderful World of Waterhouse

Heritage Open Days - The Wonderful World of Waterhouse

Our popular Heritage Open Day Tours introduce visitors to several buildings that Alfred Waterhouse designed initially for University College Liverpool in the late 1880s, up until 1904 when we became The University of Liverpool. \nThese annual tours take our visitors into buildings that members of the public do not always get to see and this blog will give a brief overview of the Waterhouse buildings on campus.\n

Posted on: 8 September 2022

The Hidden Story of Anna AshtonThe Hidden Story of Anna Ashton

The Hidden Story of Anna Ashton

Anna Ashton was from a wealthy Liverpool family of the 1760s but poses here as a shepherdess complete with lamb. There is nothing obvious that links this rather charming portrait to the Transatlantic slave trade, but that is the hidden story.

Posted on: 19 August 2022

ConGRADulations–Graduations at The University of LiverpoolConGRADulations–Graduations at The University of Liverpool

ConGRADulations–Graduations at The University of Liverpool

It’s July which can mean only one thing – Graduation! In this blog we take a closer look at some of the Graduation ceremonies over the past 130 years.

Posted on: 18 July 2022

Queen Elizabeth II Coronation MedalQueen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal

Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal

Despite being named after a queen, the Victoria Gallery and Museum doesn’t have many Royal commemoratives in its collection, but it does have this medal minted for Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation in 1953. We celebrate the Queen’s historic Platinum Jubilee year by looking closer at this small memento.

Posted on: 1 July 2022

How to make Digital art: A tool of unending possibilities.How to make Digital art: A tool of unending possibilities.

How to make Digital art: A tool of unending possibilities.

For Museum Week, I was asked to write a blog on the creation of digital art for the Victoria Gallery and Museum, as I have previously created various artworks for them. I am happy to use this opportunity to write something that would be of some worth to people wishing to learn more about the thought processes in the creation of digital artwork. All images within this blog will be my own and specifically digital art pieces. And I’ll be pointing you to places you can go to learn more.

Posted on: 14 June 2022

    Blog

    Freud and his friend - The Harry Diamond portraitsFreud and his friend - The Harry Diamond portraits

    Freud and his friend - The Harry Diamond portraits

    Lucian Freud was one of the most famous British artists of recent times. To celebrate the centenary of his birth on 8 December 1922 we are taking a close look at his painting Paddington Interior, Harry Diamond in the VG&M collection and the three other portraits of this particular friend.

    Posted on: 8 December 2022

Disclaimer

We try to ensure that the information provided on our blog is accurate and that appropriate permissions to use images have been sought.

The opinions in each blog are very much those of the individuals writing.