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Our history

The Shipley opened to the public in 1917 thanks to the generosity of Joseph Ainsley Davidson Shipley (1822-1909).

On his death, Shipley left part of his Fortune and all his pictures to the City of Newcastle, which was to build a new gallery to house the collection. His will immediately became the subject of public discussion, which eventually led to Newcastle's rejection of the bequest. It was only following this that Gateshead Municipal Council accepted the collection. As it was impossible to house all the paintings, only 359 of the pictures recommended by the executors of Shipley's will were selected. A further group was then added by the Gateshead Committee, bringing the total to 504.

After the sale of the remaining paintings, work began on the new art gallery. The building, which was designed by Arthur Stockwell of Newcastle, finally opened on 29 November 1917. The original 504 pictures represent all the main European schools from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries. Since 1917 the collection has grown and now comprises some 10,000 items.

The Gallery itself is an excellent example of Edwardian architecture and is a Grade II listed building.