ABSTRACT
Ten years having elapsed since the opening of the Walker Art Gallery the Curator has, with the sanction of the Library Museum, and Arts Committee, prepared the following Report of the rise and progress of the Institution during that period, which he trusts will be found interesting to the Citizens of Liverpool and a compendious record, useful for reference. Before entering into details, it may be weH to caH attention to the circumstances which led to the formation of the Gallery, as set forth in the introduction to the Catalogue ofthe Collection:-
Prior to the erection of the Walker Art Gallery the Corporation possessed a comparatively smaH number of Works of Art, which had been acquired from time to time by presentation and purchase, and which were for the time being deposited in the Library and Museum Buildings. In 1871 the Annual Exhibition of Pictures by modem artists was inaugurated, and was largely instrumental in creating and promoting a taste for art in this locality. Artists of the highest eminence, members of the Royal Academy and others cordially seconded the Committee's efforts by contributing some of their finest productions. The Autumn Exhibitions were largely attended by all c1asses of the community, high-c1ass works found purchasers, and became permanently located in private collections, where they exercised a potent influence on improving the public taste ...
