The Museum has been collecting works of art since it was established in 1981. Although the art collection grew slowly in the first few years, the acquiring of works gathered momentum in the 1990s. As with the rest of the collection, works of art relate in some way to County Down. The majority are topographical paintings but the museum has been building up the portrait collection in recent years, of people closely associated with County Down. A small number of works are abstract but are nonetheless of relevance, being by local artists. Some pieces relate specifically to St Patrick and thus are of particular relevance to the museum. There are some works in textiles and mixed media, as well as a few sculptural pieces.
More than half of the works of art have been most generously given by the community. Among these have been Helen Anderson's painting of the harbour at Annalong, R. Creswell Boak's etching of Newcastle and R B Morrison's drawing of Florence Wilson (who wrote the poem "The Man From God Knows Where"). The Friends of the Museum have also purchased paintings such as "Silent Valley" by Jim Manley and "Mixed Farm, Slievenaman" by Tom Carr. Major purchases have been assisted by grants from the Esme Mitchell Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the National Art Collections Fund and the Northern Ireland Museums Council. These have included a portrait of Lady Elizabeth Cromwell and an oil sketch by Sir John Lavery, of Priscilla, Countess Annesley.
Not all of the works are necessarily on view all the time. Many are incorporated into temporary exhibitions or are hung around the building where space and other considerations permit.
If you would like further information or are interested in seeing paintings which are not on display, please contact us.
