Watts Gallery opened its doors to the public in 1904 and was the first gallery to be purpose-built to display the works of a single artist.
Watts Gallery
'A hidden treasure in Compton in Surrey, stuffed with huge allegorical paintings and sparkling portraits that were the talk of Victorian society' — Maev Kennedy, The Guardian
First opening its doors to the public in 1904, Watts Gallery is a purpose-built art gallery created to display the works of the great Victorian artist G F Watts. Watts holds a unique position within British art, as he found critical acclaim in his own time and was admired by his fellow artists, both at home and abroad, and was popularly adored, allowing him the public platform to explore his idea of a poet-painter who could preach eternal truths and provoke social reform.
Over 100 paintings by Watts are on permanent display in Watts Gallery. Spanning a period of seventy years, they include portraits, landscapes and his major symbolic works. From the dramatic entrance of the historic galleries to the monumental artefacts in the Sculpture Gallery, Watts Gallery beautifully presents the unique collection left by the artist.
Watts Gallery also has a programme of temporary exhibitions showcasing some of the finest works relating to Watts, his inner circle and art of the Victorian period.
