Permanent Collections & Galleries
Art and Ideas: Hatton Gallery shows an innovative programme of contemporary art, alongside displays drawing on its permanent collection, which ranges from the Renaissance to the twentieth century. On permanent display is Kurt Schwitters’ Merzbarn Wall, a masterpiece of European art. Free entry.
The Merzbarn wall
Of paramount importance is the Merzbarn wall by Kurt Schwitters. Constructed in a barn in the Lake District during 1947-48, the Merzbarn was Schwitters' final, and in his own estimation, 'greatest', piece of work. The wall was transported to the gallery in 1965 and incorporated into the fabric of the building. The Merzbarn wall is permanently displayed in one room of the gallery and is considered as a work of international significance.
Image: Graeme Peacock
Painting Collection
Our painting collection includes works from the 14th century to the present day. Key pieces include work by Francis Bacon, Richard Hamilton, Palma Giovane, Thomas Bewick, Eduardo Paolozzi, Camillo Procaccini, Patrick Heron, William Roberts, Victor Pasmore and Richard Ansdell. Watercolours by Wyndham Lewis, Thomas Hair and Robert Jobling are also held.
Limitations of space and the extensive programme of temporary exhibitions means that it is not possible to have the whole collection on permanent display; however pieces from the collection are often used in conjunction with internal and touring exhibitions.
Poems from the Catalan, Joan Brossa and Antoni Tà pies
This is one of our in-house curated exhibitions available for tour.
The exhibition features two rare folios of poetry and print by the Catalan poet Joan Brossa and artist Antoni Tà pies published as a limited edition of 81 copies in the early 1970s.
General Franco's Nationalist vision of a unified, Imperial Spain meant that Catalan culture was suppressed by the government, and the use of the Catalan language was banned. Leading Catalan artists like Brossa and Tà pies rejected Franco's vision, and continued to develop independent avant-garde work.
Poems from the Catalan remain poignant today as an engaging and thought-provoking commentary on cultural identity and human rights.