The Lady Lever Art Gallery is a prominent example of a surviving Victorian and Edwardian art collection. It is situated in the Port Sunlight garden village between Liverpool and Chester. Founded by industrialist William Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme, in the early twentieth century, the collection largely represents his fondness for British art. He also enjoyed Chinese art, Roman sculpture and ancient Greek vases. Many of the British works reflect Lever’s interests in social justice and working class subjects. Although the majority of pieces in the museum were originally donated by Lever, the museum continues to acquire new exhibits every year. Loan pieces are also regularly displayed.
Highlights of the gallery include; The Beguiling of Merlin by Burne-Jones; In the Tepidarium by Lawrence Alma-Tadema; The Black Brunswicker by John Everett Millais and Cromwell on his Farm by Ford Madox Brown. In addition to the fine artworks, the museum also includes the one of the best collections of Wedgwood jasperware in the world. These gorgeous vases, cups, plates and bowls show off a revolutionary style of design which many have since tried to emulate. You can also see an exquisite collection of 18th century furniture.
For more information visit – http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ladylever/
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