Scary Dolls | Art UK

A lot of the twitter chatter amongst museums concludes with scary dolls. It turns out a lot of museums have a lot of scary dolls, so are they as well represented in the nation's art collections?

Artists featured in this Curation: British (English) School, Werner Büttner (b.1954), Joyce W. Cairns (b.1947), George Dunlop Leslie (1835–1921), Mark Mander (b.1980), Nadín Ospina (b.1960), Ernest Townsend (1880–1944), Les Drummond (1920–1997), George Bernard O'Neill (1828–1917), James Fitton (1899–1982), and 7 more See all

18 artworks

Storyline Album Showcase

Elizabeth Ann, Born 17 August 1836 c.1838
British (English) School
Oil on canvas
H 54 x W 43 cm
York Museums Trust

Image credit: York Museums Trust
Self Portrait with Nun Dolls 1986
Werner Büttner (b.1954)
Oil on canvas
H 240 x W 190 cm
National Museums NI

© the artist. Image credit: National Museums NI
Where I Lived at Dovecot Grove 1970
Joyce W. Cairns (b.1947)
Oil on board
H 119 x W 106.5 cm
Art & Heritage Collections, Robert Gordon University

© the artist. Image credit: Art & Heritage Collections, Robert Gordon University
Alice in Wonderland c.1879
George Dunlop Leslie (1835–1921)
Oil on canvas
H 81.4 x W 111.8 cm
Brighton & Hove Museums

Image credit: Brighton & Hove Museums
Clementine, the Living Fashion Doll 2014
Mark Mander (b.1980)
Wood, paint, textiles & feathers
H 51 x W 40 x D 3.5 cm
Bruce Castle Museum (Haringey Archive and Museum Service)

© the artist. Image credit: Bruce Castle Museum (Haringey Archive and Museum Service)
Idol with Doll 2000
Nadín Ospina (b.1960)
Limestone
H 50 x W 50 x D 25 cm
Essex Collection of Art from Latin America

© Essex Collection of Art from Latin America. Image credit: Essex Collection of Art from Latin America
The Dolls' Parade
Ernest Townsend (1880–1944)
Oil on canvas
H 71.1 x W 91.4 cm
Derby Museums

Image credit: Derby Museums
Stage Dolls Having Tea 1992
Les Drummond (1920–1997)
Oil on board
H 32 x W 44.6 cm
Art in Healthcare

© the copyright holder. Image credit: Art in Healthcare
The Tête-à-Tête Tea
George Bernard O'Neill (1828–1917)
Oil on canvas
H 51 x W 40.5 cm
Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
Doll on a Chair
James Fitton (1899–1982)
Oil on canvas
H 45 x W 45 cm
Gallery Oldham

© the artist's estate. Image credit: Gallery Oldham
Bird Girl, Belton Hills c.1982
Geoffrey Licence (b.1944)
Oil on board
H 61.5 x W 40.5 cm
Southend Museums Service

© the artist. Image credit: Southend Museums Service
The Dutch Doll 1926
Mark Gertler (1891–1939)
Oil on canvas
H 73.6 x W 76.2 cm
Brighton & Hove Museums

Image credit: Brighton & Hove Museums
Eieio c.1982
Geoff Yeomans (1934–2021)
Oil on canvas
H 183 x W 122 cm
Williamson Art Gallery & Museum

© the artist's estate. Image credit: Williamson Art Gallery & Museum
German Wax Doll
James Cumming (1922–1991)
Oil on board
H 20 x W 19.8 cm
Royal Scottish Academy of Art & Architecture

© the artist's estate. Image credit: Royal Scottish Academy of Art & Architecture
Family Group: Hilda, Unity and Dolls c.1937
Stanley Spencer (1891–1959)
Oil on canvas
H 76.2 x W 50.8 cm
Leeds Museums and Galleries

© the estate of Stanley Spencer. All rights reserved / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Bridgeman Images
Reclining Doll 2013
Cathie Pilkington (b.1968)
Oil paint on patinated bronze
H 43 x W 77 x D 40 cm
Royal Academy of Arts

© the artist / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Royal Academy of Arts / Graham Chalifour
The Doll 1914
Mark Gertler (1891–1939)
Oil on canvas
H 76.2 x W 50.8 cm
The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art

Image credit: The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
Girl with a Doll
Robert Sivell (1888–1958)
Oil on canvas
H 50 x W 39 cm
Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

© the artist's estate. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections