A Philosophy for Teaching Art: The Development of the Hatton Collection

From 1952 to 1958, Professor Lawrence Gowing built up a collection of historic and modern work which forms the core of the Hatton Gallery teaching collection. Pre-1800 European paintings were a major focus of his purchasing programme, alongside work by living artists. In the same period the Hatton received several modern works of significance through Contemporary Art Society donations. Gowing intended to celebrate this eclectic body of paintings with a permanent display for students to study and for visitors to enjoy.

The Development of the Hatton Collection presents the Old Master paintings and the modern works of the teaching collection together for the first time in many years, inviting fresh readings of Gowing’s vision from a contemporary audience. The exhibition also includes the work of past students and tutors of the fine art department, encouraging viewers to discover visual and thematic connections across the centuries, and revealing the relevance of the collection as a learning resource within the art school.