What to see at Ferens Art Gallery

Ferens Art Gallery is home to one of the UK’s finest art collections, from world-famous paintings to local treasures.

You’ll find artwork on display from the medieval period right up to the present day. So there’s something for everyone to enjoy

We also host an exciting, changing exhibition programme. Check out What’s on at Ferens for all the latest events and exhibitions.

Centre Court

Discover highlights from our internationally significant collection. Including Bik van der Pol’s Untitled (Gold), a poetic neon sculpture acquired by the Ferens in 2015.

Currently closed for essential maintenance.

Gallery 1 – Renaissance and Baroque

Explore how religious subject matter dominated the paintings of European old masters during this period. While you’re here, visit Pietro Lorenzetti’s rare Sienese masterpiece, Christ between Saints Paul and Peter – the only work by this artist in a UK collection.

Gallery 2 – The Netherlands

Take a journey through the Dutch Golden Age, with our collection of Netherlandish art from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Don’t miss Frans Hals’ Portrait of a Young Woman.

Gallery 3 – Eighteenth Century Europe

Discover artworks from France and Italy – the main artistic centres in eighteenth-century Europe. Highlights include paintings by Francesco Guardi and Antonio Canaletto.

Galleries 4, 7 and 8

Explore What’s on at Ferens to discover the latest exhibitions in these galleries.

Gallery 5 – Victorian and Edwardian Art

Visit works by some of the finest Victorian Artists, including Frederic Lord Leighton and John Atkinson Grimshaw. And don’t miss visitor-favourite The Lion at Home by Rosa Bonheur.

Gallery 6 – Temporary Collection Displays

Displays in this gallery change throughout the year. Coming up: Eight newly acquired works by artist Andy Lock will go on display to celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2023. Andy’s photographs depict Hull’s history of everyday post-war buildings. The photographs, taken in 2003 are part of the Orchard Park series which captured the abandoned Vernon House tower block on Orchard Park estate in Hull, before it was demolished.

Gallery 9 – Modern and Contemporary

Visit our changing displays of modern and contemporary painting, sculpture and photography. Discover a diverse collection of portraiture, from works by David Hockney to Gillian Wearing, and many more artists besides.

Currently closed for essential maintenance.

Gallery 10 – Children’s Gallery: Explore Art

Play, create and explore in this interactive ground floor gallery, designed especially for children aged 0–5. Discover hands-on activities that encourage kids to explore artworks through line, shape, colour and texture. The gallery includes a mix of paintings, plus the opportunity for children to display their very own artworks.

Gallery 11 –  Artists Studio

Find out about our Artist in Residence scheme – where we invite contemporary artists to respond to our collections. Or check out What’s on at Ferens to discover events with our latest artist in residence, find out when you can see their work and meet them for a chat.

Currently closed for essential maintenance.

Gallery 12 – Maritime Highlights

Dive into maritime history with this unique collection of maritime paintings. Artworks on display include locally and internationally significant pieces by Richard Parkes Bonington, John Ward, William Frederick Settle and Spencer Tunick.

Currently closed for essential maintenance.

Inside Ferens Art Gallery

Three kids, one gallery – no filter! See inside our galleries through the eyes of a child.

Collection highlights

Want to delve a little deeper? Take a look at some of the special paintings we hold in our collections.

A woman and a girl taking part in a craft activity.

Support us

Like what we do? There are plenty of ways you can support your local museums and help bring world-class cultural experiences to Hull for years to come.

Find out how you can support us