Collections
The Barber is home to one of the finest small European art collections in the UK – you can find works by Sandro Botticelli, Thomas Gainsborough, Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Gwen John, Käthe Kollwitz and indeed most of the major names in Western art here.
Not all objects in the collection will be on display during your visit. Objects may be on loan to another venue, in store or undergoing conservation. Please email [email protected] if you require further information or wish to check if a specific object is on display.
Please note: the Barber galleries are currently closed for a major building improvement project, reopening 2026.
From Botticelli and Bellini through Gainsborough, Gauguin and Van Gogh, to Manet, Magritte and Frank Auerbach, the Barber’s stunning collection of paintings spans seven centuries through four galleries.
Housing one of the most impressive collections of Roman, Byzantine, Sasanian, medieval Islamic, and medieval and modern Hungarian coins in the world, the Barber has around 16,000 objects in its collection.
The Barber has a substantial collection of sculpture by artists such as Rodin, Degas and Roubiliac.
This exquisite collection ranges from Chinese and European antiquities, to colourful enamels and precious metalwork.
Welcome to the Barber’s Image Library.
View the University of Birmingham's collections online.