Track Derby’s evolution from 17th century with rarely seen images from local art collector

An exhibition showcasing one of Derby Museums’ best-loved collections is a treat for historians and Derby fans.

People keen to learn more about the rich history of the city can go along to Derby Museum on The Strand.

The art gallery is showcasing A View Of Derby: The Alfred Edward Goodey Collection of ‘Old Derby’ Pictures.

The display includes a selection of paintings, drawings, prints and objects from Alfred Edward Goodey’s collection.

Who was Alfred Goodey?

Alfred Edward Goodey was a philanthropist, creative and art curator.

He donated over 500 drawings, prints and paintings dating from the late 1600s to 1930s to Derby Museum.

The museum says his collection named Old Derby Pictures would ‘go down in local history as the single largest and most important visual record of the town’s development ever created.’

What is in the Alfred Goodey art collection?

As a creative and historian, Goodey was passionate about local history and art.

He commissioned fellow artists including Ernest Townsend and Alfred John Keene to create artwork for his collection.

Over the years, Derby Museums have acquired personal objects as well as works that formed part of Goodey’s original collection.

There are now almost 800 objects in the collection.

Read more: What's On in Derby?

A View Of Derby presents a selection of works from this vast collection, as well as other objects that explore the context behind its creation and what the works mean to Derby and its people today.

Derby residents can get involved

As part of the exhibition, people are being encouraged to share their memories and knowledge of the places depicted.

Through their public call-out, Derby Museums hope to build a fuller picture of individual items and the collection more broadly.

Lucy Bamford, Senior Curator of Art at Derby Museums and Co-curator of A View Of Derby, said: “We always look forward to sharing works from Goodey’s collection with visitors.

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“Its importance to Derby folk, almost 80 years on from Goodey’s last gift of pictures to Derby Museums, remains undiminished and will, no doubt, be a big talking point at a time when Derby is once again going through a period of redevelopment and change.

“We’re really keen to capture a sense of what these pictures and the places they depict mean to people today, as well as personal memories that might help enhance the information we hold about the collection.”

The show is free to enter and donations are welcome

A View Of Derby: The Alfred Edward Goodey Collection of ‘Old Derby’ Pictures runs until Sunday May 26, 2024.

Address: Derby Museum and Art Gallery, The Strand, Derby DE1 1BS