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Last chance to see gallery's fine art before refit

Courtesy of Cultural Services Southampton Dark stomy sky with large waves crashing onto a beach - several fishing boats are seen on the crashing waves a gap of light in the clouds is centred over the sea.Courtesy of Cultural Services Southampton
A dramatic Turner painting, depicting fishermen struggling to launch their boat against high winds and heavy seas, features in the highlights exhibition

Southampton City Art Gallery is offering art lovers a final chance to see an exhibition of works from its fine art collection before its doors shut for a year-long refit.

From the Renaissance to the Present Day: Highlights from Southampton's Collection includes paintings, drawings and sculpture.

It features works by JMW Turner, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, LS Lowry, artist and photographer Helen Chadwick and abstract painter, Gillian Ayres.

The last day to see the highlights exhibition before the gallery closes is 22 February.

Courtesy of Cultural Services Southampton A painting showing a man sat on a long wooden walkway over water wearing a top hat with a dog and fishing equipment by his side an arched bridge spans the water behind him.Courtesy of Cultural Services Southampton
Jean-Louis Forain's The Fisherman is dated 1884 and was bought by the gallery in 1936

The Grade II listed building already has its roof enveloped in a sea of scaffolding ahead of the closure for the major refit.

The art gallery said the work, which includes roof repairs, new windows and a heating upgrade, was needed to "keep the city's nationally designated art collection safe and accessible".

It said the repairs would also reduce running costs "by improving the efficiency of the building".

Southampton City Art Gallery Vast roof of building the middle section has scaffolding across it in a roof shape.Southampton City Art Gallery
Scaffolding already spans the roof of the art gallery

Lorna Fielker, leader of the Labour-run council, said visitors would be disappointed over the closure of the "Southampton jewel" but the authority was "thrilled the work can take place to preserve this nationally important gallery".

During the closure, virtual exhibitions will be shown on the gallery's website.

Originally opened in 1939, the art gallery, in the Civic Centre on Commercial Road, is due to reopen fully early in 2026.

Southampton City Art Gallery has an internationally renowned fine art collection spanning eight centuries.

The work is being carried out with a grant of £2.23m from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's museum estate and development fund, administered by the Arts Council England.

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