Episode 1 of 2

Sheepshanks Donation

When: 1857
Where: South Kensington Museum
Part of: Queen Victoria opens the South Kensington Museum (later V&A)

John Sheepshanks donated 233 paintings and drawings to the museum in 1857 to form a National Gallery of British Art.

In 1857, John Sheepshanks donated 233 paintings, mainly by contemporary British artists, and a similar number of drawings. The intention was to form 'A National Gallery of British Art', a role later taken on by Tate Britain.

Sources

Victoria and Albert Museum Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-01

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