Derby Museum and Art Gallery

Derby Museum and Art Gallery is a museum and art gallery in the centre of Derby, in the English Midlands. It stands on The Strand, in the part of town known as the Cathedral Quarter, and brings painting, porcelain and local history together under one roof.

How did the museum begin?

The institution dates back to 1836, when it was founded as a town and county museum combined with a natural history society. It opened to the public in 1879, at the same time as Derby Central Library. Both were housed in a new building designed by architect Richard Knill Freeman and donated to the town by Michael Thomas Bass. The art gallery followed a few years later, opening in 1882.

What is in the collection?

The displays are varied, so most visitors find something that appeals:

• paintings by Joseph Wright of Derby, the eighteenth-century artist tied to the town, who has a gallery of his own here,
• Royal Crown Derby porcelain and other ware made in Derby and the surrounding area,
• local archaeology,
• natural history and geology,
• military collections,
• world cultures.

Why see Joseph Wright?

Wright painted portraits, landscapes and scenes drawn from literature. He is also remembered for pictures of industry and science, often featuring scientific instruments. If you are curious about the Enlightenment and the early Industrial Revolution in England, his work is a vivid introduction, and this museum shows a substantial number of his paintings.

What makes Derby porcelain special?

Derby has a long tradition of porcelain making. The museum shows a sizeable range of tableware and figures, including Royal Crown Derby, and traces how the craft developed in the city and its surroundings.

Is there a Jacobite connection?

Yes. The museum contains a reconstruction of the room where Charles Edward Stuart, known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, held his Jacobite council of war in 1745. It is built using original wood panelling and period furniture from the old Exeter House, which was demolished in 1854.

Planning your visit

The museum sits right in the city centre, so it combines easily with a stroll around the Cathedral Quarter. Allow roughly one and a half to two hours, more if you love art. Check the official Derby Museums website for current opening hours and holiday changes before you go.

Frequently asked questions

When did the museum open? To the public in 1879, with the art gallery opening in 1882. The institution itself was founded in 1836.

Who designed the building? Richard Knill Freeman. Michael Thomas Bass gave the building to the town.

Can I see paintings by Joseph Wright? Yes, there is a dedicated gallery of his work.

Is Royal Crown Derby porcelain on display? Yes, it is one of the museum's notable collections.

Where is it? On The Strand in Derby city centre.