Celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2024, the Government Art Collection is a collection of currently approaching 15,000 artworks by British artists or those with a strong connection to the UK, and is used to promote British art, culture and history in more than 365 government buildings both in the UK and abroad. Set up in 1899 with a proposal to spend £150 to help decorate the Foreign Office, an annual fund of £250 was established in 1935 with advice from an advisory committee. Works by living artists were first made in 1944. The majority of the collection is on display in government buildings, and many other works are loaned to exhibitions. Part Three: Alexander Mann to Nan Youngman.
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Alexander Mann (1853–1908)
The Road to Wittenham Clumps near Oxford 1901
Alexander Mann (1853–1908)
Oil on canvas
H 54 x W 86.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Kenneth Martin (1905–1984)
Mobile Reflector c.1953
Kenneth Martin (1905–1984)
Aluminium & painted metal
H 100 x W 230 cm
Government Art Collection
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Bateson Mason (1910–1977)
Fulham by Moonlight
Bateson Mason (1910–1977)
Oil on board
H 42 x W 68.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Donald McIntyre (1923–2009)
Crail, Fife
Donald McIntyre (1923–2009)
Acrylic on paper
H 50.5 x W 60.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Jock McFadyen (b.1950)
Aldgate East 1 1997
Jock McFadyen (b.1950)
Oil on canvas
H 122 x W 152.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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F. E. McWilliam (1909–1992)
Figure 1937
F. E. McWilliam (1909–1992)
Sycamore
H 117 x W 38 x D 16 cm
Government Art Collection
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Margaret Mellis (1914–2009)
Gold and Diamonds 1972
Margaret Mellis (1914–2009)
Oil on wood, canvas & hardboard
H 45.5 x W 65.9 cm
Government Art Collection
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Edward Middleditch (1923–1987)
Spring Landscape
Edward Middleditch (1923–1987)
Oil on canvas
H 106 x W 147 cm
Government Art Collection
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John Minton (1917–1957)
Cornish Boy at a Window 1948
John Minton (1917–1957)
Oil on canvas
H 76.5 x W 51 cm
Government Art Collection
© Royal College of Art / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Government Art Collection
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Ronald Moody (1900–1984)
Male Standing Figure – the Priest 1939
Ronald Moody (1900–1984)
Wood
H 75 x W 27 cm
Government Art Collection
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Cedric Lockwood Morris (1889–1982)
Mountain Farm, Spain 1961
Cedric Lockwood Morris (1889–1982)
Oil on canvas
H 79 x W 64 cm
Government Art Collection
© trustees of the Cedric Lockwood Morris Estate/Foundation / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Government Art Collection
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Rodrigo Moynihan (1910–1990)
Three Soldiers Shortly to Leave for an Officer Cadet Training Unit Playing Chess
Rodrigo Moynihan (1910–1990)
Oil on canvas
H 56 x W 69 cm
Government Art Collection
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Claude Grahame Muncaster (1903–1974)
A Sou'wester over the Downs 1950
Claude Grahame Muncaster (1903–1974)
Oil on canvas
H 64 x W 76.8 cm
Government Art Collection
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David Nash (b.1945)
Enfolded Egg 1993
David Nash (b.1945)
Ash
H 85 x W 53 x D 52 cm
Government Art Collection
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John Northcote Nash (1893–1977)
The Flooded Meadow
John Northcote Nash (1893–1977)
Oil on canvas
H 56.3 x W 76.8 cm
Government Art Collection
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Government Art Collection
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Paul Nash (1889–1946)
Event on the Downs 1934
Paul Nash (1889–1946)
Oil on canvas
H 51 x W 61 cm
Government Art Collection
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Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson (1889–1946)
Le vieux port 1913
Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson (1889–1946)
Oil on canvas
H 91.5 x W 56 cm
Government Art Collection
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Algernon Cecil Newton (1880–1968)
The 'Lord Nelson', Winter Morning, Beck Hole 1943
Algernon Cecil Newton (1880–1968)
Oil on canvas
H 73 x W 123 cm
Government Art Collection
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Bertram Nicholls (1883–1974)
Le mammelle d'Italia 1927
Bertram Nicholls (1883–1974)
Oil on canvas
H 30.5 x W 45.8 cm
Government Art Collection
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Winifred Nicholson (1893–1981)
Flower Piece
Winifred Nicholson (1893–1981)
Oil on canvas
H 61 x W 61 cm
Government Art Collection
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Uli Nimptsch (1897–1977)
Nude Seated on a Bench Holding Her Right Foot
Uli Nimptsch (1897–1977)
Bronze
H 17.5 x W 12.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Sidney Nolan (1917–1992)
Figures on a Beach
Sidney Nolan (1917–1992)
Oil on paper
H 25.5 x W 30 cm
Government Art Collection
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Herbert Arnould Olivier (1861–1952)
Merville, 1 December 1914, the Meeting of George V and President Poincaré of France at the British Headquarters at Merville, France, on 1 December 1914 1916
Herbert Arnould Olivier (1861–1952)
Oil on canvas
H 173.5 x W 356.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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William Orpen (1878–1931)
Regent Street c.1910
William Orpen (1878–1931)
Oil on canvas
H 49.5 x W 60 cm
Government Art Collection
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Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi (1924–2005)
On This Island 1985–1986
Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi (1924–2005)
Wood
H 473 x W 615.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Ernest Pascoe (1922–1996)
The Outgoing Tide 1955
Ernest Pascoe (1922–1996)
Oil on canvas
H 51.5 x W 66 cm
Government Art Collection
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Victor Pasmore (1908–1998)
Composite Image (Sea Green) 1982
Victor Pasmore (1908–1998)
Oil on panel
H 40.5 x W 40.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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James McIntosh Patrick (1907–1998)
Iona
James McIntosh Patrick (1907–1998)
Oil on board
H 44 x W 39 cm
Government Art Collection
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Government Art Collection
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Tony Peart (b.1961)
Heavensfield 1988
Tony Peart (b.1961)
Oil & wax on canvas
H 64.5 x W 60 cm
Government Art Collection
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Robin Philipson (1916–1992)
Blue Cathedral
Robin Philipson (1916–1992)
Oil on canvas
H 90.5 x W 90.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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John Piper (1903–1992)
Slopes of the Glyders c.1943
John Piper (1903–1992)
Oil on canvas board
H 70 x W 90 cm
Government Art Collection
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Lucien Pissarro (1863–1944)
Great Western Railway, Acton 1907
Lucien Pissarro (1863–1944)
Oil on canvas
H 45.5 x W 54.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Roland Vivian Pitchforth (1895–1982)
Building Speedboats 1943
Roland Vivian Pitchforth (1895–1982)
Oil on board
H 56 x W 76 cm
Government Art Collection
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Richard Platt (1928–2017)
Coronation Decoration, Calverley Grove N19 1953
Richard Platt (1928–2017)
Oil on canvas
H 50.5 x W 76 cm
Government Art Collection
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Mary Potter (1900–1981)
A Girl Skipping 1953
Mary Potter (1900–1981)
Oil on canvas
H 46 x W 56 cm
Government Art Collection
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Ernest Procter (1886–1935)
Penlee Point 1926–1927
Ernest Procter (1886–1935)
Oil on panel
H 49 x W 60 cm
Government Art Collection
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William Pye (b.1938)
Little Gilded Equinox 1985
William Pye (b.1938)
Bronze, wire & gold leaf
H 11 x W 20.7 x D 11.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Peter Randall-Page (b.1954)
Secret Life II 1994
Peter Randall-Page (b.1954)
Granite
H 120 x W 157.5 x D 97.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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William Whitehead Ratcliffe (1870–1955)
Beehives in the Snow, Sweden 1913
William Whitehead Ratcliffe (1870–1955)
Oil on canvas
H 42.5 x W 51 cm
Government Art Collection
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Paula Figueiroa Rego (1935–2022)
Study for 'Crivelli's Garden' (The Visitation) 1990–1991
Paula Figueiroa Rego (1935–2022)
Acrylic on canvas
H 80 x W 100 cm
Government Art Collection
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Government Art Collection
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Alan Reynolds (1926–2014)
Outbuildings, Pastoral 1952
Alan Reynolds (1926–2014)
Oil on cardboard
H 101 x W 75.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Anne Estelle Rice (1877–1959)
Still Life with Staffordshire Horse 1926
Anne Estelle Rice (1877–1959)
Oil on canvas
H 45.7 x W 56 cm
Government Art Collection
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Ceri Giraldus Richards (1903–1971)
Summer, the Force that through the Green Fuse Drives the Flower 1968
Ceri Giraldus Richards (1903–1971)
Oil on canvas
H 127.5 x W 127.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Leonard Richmond (1889–1965)
Ilfracombe 1934
Leonard Richmond (1889–1965)
Oil on canvas
H 67.7 x W 57.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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John Ridgewell (1937–2004)
Landscape IV 1961
John Ridgewell (1937–2004)
Oil on board
H 92 x W 73 cm
Government Art Collection
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Bridget Riley (b.1931)
Reflection 1982
Bridget Riley (b.1931)
Oil on linen
H 161 x W 135.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Claude Rogers (1907–1979)
Landscape with Aeroplane Hangar 1951
Claude Rogers (1907–1979)
Oil on canvas
H 51 x W 61 cm
Government Art Collection
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Leonard Henry Rosoman (1913–2012)
Desert Structure, New Mexico 1977
Leonard Henry Rosoman (1913–2012)
Acrylic & gouache on paper
H 25.2 x W 26.7 cm
Government Art Collection
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Kenneth Rowntree (1915–1997)
Nightpiece, Putney Bridge c.1967
Kenneth Rowntree (1915–1997)
Oil on board
H 76.4 x W 63.6 cm
Government Art Collection
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Stanley Royle (1888–1961)
Evening Light, Corfe Castle 1935
Stanley Royle (1888–1961)
Oil on canvas
H 71 x W 91.5 cm
Government Art Collection
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Government Art Collection
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Michael Salaman (1911–1987)
La blanchisseuse 1935
Michael Salaman (1911–1987)
Oil on canvas
H 131 x W 82.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Ethel Sands (1873–1962)
A Spare Room, Château d'Auppegard c.1925
Ethel Sands (1873–1962)
Oil on board
H 44.5 x W 53.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Rudolf Helmut Sauter (1895–1977)
Arthur William Symons (1865–1945), Poet and Critic 1935
Rudolf Helmut Sauter (1895–1977)
Tempera on canvas
H 60 x W 49.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Edward Brian Seago (1910–1974)
The Frozen River, Norwich
Edward Brian Seago (1910–1974)
Oil on board
H 22 x W 27 cm
Government Art Collection
© Seago Estate, courtesy of Portland Gallery, London / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Government Art Collection
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Nancy Sharp (1909–2001)
Dandelions
Nancy Sharp (1909–2001)
Oil on canvas
H 49.5 x W 60.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Marjorie Sherlock (1897–1973)
Liverpool Street Station 1917
Marjorie Sherlock (1897–1973)
Oil on canvas
H 116.5 x W 89.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Walter Richard Sickert (1860–1942)
The Integrity of Belgium 1914
Walter Richard Sickert (1860–1942)
Oil on canvas
H 92.5 x W 71.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Jack Simcock (1929–2012)
Cottages, Mow Cop 1960
Jack Simcock (1929–2012)
Oil on hardboard
H 45.5 x W 76 cm
Government Art Collection
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Beryl Sinclair (1901–1967)
Winter, Regent's Park 1941
Beryl Sinclair (1901–1967)
Oil on canvas
H 51 x W 76.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Jeffrey Smart (1921–2013)
Newtown Oval 1961
Jeffrey Smart (1921–2013)
Oil on board
H 54.5 x W 90 cm
Government Art Collection
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Jack Smith (1928–2011)
Still Life with Plaice 1955
Jack Smith (1928–2011)
Oil on hardboard
H 152.7 x W 122.2 cm
Government Art Collection
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Matthew Arnold Bracy Smith (1879–1959)
Landscape near Lyons 1922
Matthew Arnold Bracy Smith (1879–1959)
Oil on canvas
H 47 x W 54 cm
Government Art Collection
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Ruskin Spear (1911–1990)
Tremodrett, Cornwall
Ruskin Spear (1911–1990)
Oil on board
H 43.5 x W 60 cm
Government Art Collection
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Government Art Collection
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Gilbert Spencer (1892–1979)
Fernlea, Cookham
Gilbert Spencer (1892–1979)
Oil on canvas
H 50 x W 60 cm
Government Art Collection
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Stanley Spencer (1891–1959)
Bourne End Looking towards Marlow c.1920–1921
Stanley Spencer (1891–1959)
Oil on board
H 23 x W 33 cm
Government Art Collection
© the estate of Stanley Spencer. All rights reserved / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Government Art Collection
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John Humphrey Spender (1910–2005)
Stone Walls 1947
John Humphrey Spender (1910–2005)
Oil on board
H 34.5 x W 49 cm
Government Art Collection
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Jeffrey Steele (1931–2021)
Syntagma Sg II 6 1974
Jeffrey Steele (1931–2021)
Oil on canvas
H 101.7 x W 101.7 cm
Government Art Collection
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Cecil Stephenson (1889–1965)
Painting: Design for the Festival of Britain 1950
Cecil Stephenson (1889–1965)
Tempera on canvas laid on board
H 82 x W 61.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Stella Steyn (1907–1987)
Townscene 1940
Stella Steyn (1907–1987)
Oil on cotton duck
H 43.5 x W 68.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Adrian Durham Stokes (1902–1972)
Near Zennor, Cornwall, Winter 1937
Adrian Durham Stokes (1902–1972)
Oil on canvas
H 50.5 x W 70.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Ian Strang (1886–1952)
La Croisic, Brittany 1913
Ian Strang (1886–1952)
Oil on canvas
H 39.5 x W 49.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Graham Vivian Sutherland (1903–1980)
Origins of the Land No. 1 1950–1951
Graham Vivian Sutherland (1903–1980)
Oil on board
H 76 x W 46 cm
Government Art Collection
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Philip Sutton (b.1928)
Winter, Falmouth, Cornwall 1970
Philip Sutton (b.1928)
Oil on canvas
H 127 x W 127 cm
Government Art Collection
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David Thomas (b.1919)
Painted Relief with Verticals 1978
David Thomas (b.1919)
Acrylic & cork on board
H 59.5 x W 59.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Joe Tilson (1928–2023)
Chthonic Box 1974
Joe Tilson (1928–2023)
Wood & mixed media
H 96.5 x W 106.5 x D 9.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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David Tindle (b.1932)
Balloon Race, Clipston 1980–1981
David Tindle (b.1932)
Tempera on board
H 122 x W 91.5 cm
Government Art Collection
© the artist / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Government Art Collection
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William Townsend (1909–1973)
Landscape in Snow
William Townsend (1909–1973)
Oil on canvas
H 63 x W 70 cm
Government Art Collection
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Julian Trevelyan (1910–1988)
The Thames at Chiswick 1962
Julian Trevelyan (1910–1988)
Oil on canvas
H 76 x W 91.5 cm
Government Art Collection
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Government Art Collection
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John Tunnard (1900–1971)
Composition 1940s
John Tunnard (1900–1971)
Oil on board
H 32.5 x W 42.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Euan Uglow (1932–2000)
Saint Sebastian
Euan Uglow (1932–2000)
Oil on panel
H 30.5 x W 35.5 cm
Government Art Collection
© the estate of Euan Uglow / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Government Art Collection
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Fred Uhlman (1901–1985)
The Lighthouse 1953
Fred Uhlman (1901–1985)
Oil on canvas
H 61 x W 91.5 cm
Government Art Collection
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Government Art Collection
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Leon Underwood (1890–1975)
Path and Gate in a Landscape 1922
Leon Underwood (1890–1975)
Oil on canvas
H 51 x W 61 cm
Government Art Collection
© the estate of Leon Underwood / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Government Art Collection
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John Keith Vaughan (1912–1977)
Village in Ireland 1954
John Keith Vaughan (1912–1977)
Oil on hardboard
H 81.5 x W 112 cm
Government Art Collection
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Maurice Wade (1917–1991)
Canal at Middleport 1976
Maurice Wade (1917–1991)
Oil on board
H 71.5 x W 86.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Edward Alexander Wadsworth (1889–1949)
Marseilles Harbour, Quai du Port 1924
Edward Alexander Wadsworth (1889–1949)
Tempera on canvas
H 76.5 x W 107 cm
Government Art Collection
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Ethel Walker (1861–1951)
The Red Skirt
Ethel Walker (1861–1951)
Oil on canvas
H 74.5 x W 49 cm
Government Art Collection
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Carel Victor Morlais Weight (1908–1997)
Life in Putney 1956
Carel Victor Morlais Weight (1908–1997)
Oil on canvas
H 65.5 x W 75 cm
Government Art Collection
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Government Art Collection
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Hubert Lindsay Wellington (1879–1967)
Summer Day, Frampton Mansell 1915
Hubert Lindsay Wellington (1879–1967)
Oil on canvas
H 46 x W 61 cm
Government Art Collection
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John Wells (1907–2000)
Composition 1968–1976
John Wells (1907–2000)
Oil on canvas
H 50.5 x W 76 cm
Government Art Collection
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Anthony Whishaw (b.1930)
Valley, Green
Anthony Whishaw (b.1930)
Acrylic on canvas
H 179 x W 167 cm
Government Art Collection
© the artist / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Government Art Collection
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Ethelbert White (1891–1972)
Early Spring 1919
Ethelbert White (1891–1972)
Oil on canvas
H 81 x W 100.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Kyffin Williams (1918–2006)
Farms, Porth Dafarch No. 1 1977
Kyffin Williams (1918–2006)
Oil on canvas
H 91 x W 91 cm
Government Art Collection
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John Michael Wishart (1928–1996)
Landscape, Hérault
John Michael Wishart (1928–1996)
Oil on canvas
H 92 x W 92 cm
Government Art Collection
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Edward Wolfe (1897–1982)
Norfolk Landscape
Edward Wolfe (1897–1982)
Oil on board
H 55 x W 75.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Alfred Aaron Wolmark (1877–1961)
The Flat-Iron Building, New York 1919
Alfred Aaron Wolmark (1877–1961)
Oil on canvas
H 91.5 x W 56.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Christopher Wood (1901–1930)
A Cornish Sailor 1928
Christopher Wood (1901–1930)
Oil on canvas
H 55 x W 55 cm
Government Art Collection
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Harold Workman (1897–1975)
Manette Street, Soho
Harold Workman (1897–1975)
Oil on canvas
H 51.5 x W 41 cm
Government Art Collection
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Bryan Wynter (1915–1975)
Offshore Rocks 1953
Bryan Wynter (1915–1975)
Oil on board
H 76 x W 63.5 cm
Government Art Collection
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Nan Youngman (1906–1995)
King Street, Kingston, Jamaica
Nan Youngman (1906–1995)
Oil on canvas
H 61 x W 51 cm
Government Art Collection