Museum In Residence at Number 10: The Herbert
Every year, the Government Art Collection has worked with a museum or gallery collection from outside London to showcase artworks in 10 Downing Street.
Art X-UK
Art X-UK is the Government Art Collection's yearly project supporting work by artists across the UK, alongside regional and national partners across the UK.
Explore the Collection
There are so many ways to discover this unusual collection. Search for an artist, type in a capital city or be surprised by the loudest artwork is in the Collection!
Discover stories from the Collection
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The Coronation works in the Collection
As part of the celebrations surrounding the coronation, over a hundred works of art were commissioned or purchased by the Ministry of Works from early 1953 to 1954. Explore these works in the Government Art Collection, from artists like L.S. Lowry, Julian Trevelyan and Barbara Horridge.
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A Closer Look: L.S. Lowry’s Coronation View
When L.S. Lowry was appointed an official artist at the Coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953, he could not imagine why he was appointed to capture such a grand occasion.
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A Closer Look: Lucian Freud’s Welsh Landscape
In 2008, Lucian Freud came to the headquarters of the Government Art Collection to revisit his work Welsh Landscape, painted between 1939 and 1940.
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Eye of the Sultan: A New Display for Ankara
During the 18th century, diplomatic relations between the UK and Turkey were formalised. A new display of works of art in the British Ambassador’s Residence in Ankara tells the story of this historic engagement, and follows the countries' shared histories.
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The Art of Diplomacy
An old map of Romania and a fire-damaged print of London: Britain's Head of Soft Power, who also served as Ambassador to Romania, speaks with our historical curator about the links between art and diplomacy.
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‘A Canvas to Depict the Special Relationship’
Works from the Collection are particularly well represented in New York City. Find out what the portrait in this picture tells us about Britain’s entangled history with the United States.
The GAC display at the Residence ties together our efforts of portraying a modern, sustainable and innovative Britain, whilst linking to key historical events and individuals. The artwork is often commented on positively by visitors.
Dame Barbara Woodward, former British Ambassador to China
Collection highlights
What is the Government Art Collection?
Why does the Government have an art collection? What does it collect? Why is the Collection spread across the world?
History of the Collection
Art is one way of remembering Britain’s long-standing relationships with other nations. Learn about the history of the Collection and its role in British cultural diplomacy.
Learning
Get closer to artworks in the Collection with ArtSpark, our free learning resource. Teachers and families will find plenty of ideas and inspiration to support classroom, home and online learning.