Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester

Manchester Art Gallery, a public art museum located on Mosley Street in the heart of Manchester city center, is a major cultural landmark housed in three interconnected buildings. The principal building, the City Art Gallery, was originally constructed between 1824 and 1835 to serve the Royal Manchester Institution and showcases the Greek Ionic style of architecture by Sir Charles Barry. This Grade I listed structure features an elegant façade with a prominent pedimented portico supported by Ionic columns, and a lantern above the entrance hall, and is known for its harmonious ashlar construction and sophisticated architectural details like a dentilled cornice and plain parapet.

Adjacent to this historic structure are two additional buildings, both also designed by Sir Charles Barry and similarly listed for their architectural significance. In 2002, these were seamlessly linked by a modern addition from Hopkins Architects, the result of a RIBA-managed architectural competition. This development was part of a major renovation and expansion that modernized the gallery without compromising its historic character.

Manchester Art Gallery operates free of charge and is open to the public six days a week, closed on Mondays. It attracts over half a million visitors annually and houses an extensive collection of over 25,000 objects. This includes more than 2,000 oil paintings, 3,000 watercolors and drawings, and 250 sculptures, alongside an impressive array of decorative arts encompassing ceramics, glass, enamels, furniture, and metalwork. Noteworthy among its treasures is an ancient Egyptian canopic jar dating back to circa 1100 BC.

The gallery's mission extends beyond just showcasing art; it serves as an educational and cultural hub that emphasizes both local and international artistic contributions, making it a pivotal institution in Manchester’s vibrant cultural scene.