The Herbert (Art Gallery & Museum)

I have to agree with Flapdoodle. I used to go to the Herbert when I was at school but would only visit now if there was something special on. The permanent displays are indeed uninspiring. Then there is the Belgrade which no longer is on the main theatre circuit so doesn't attract the top shows. When did the complainers last see a show there, I wonder. I do wonder how often those who feign indignation actually bother to visit either the Herbert or the Belgrade. I suspect the reality is that some are using it as an excuse to have a go at the council for something that is beyond their control. This nation voted for more austerity last May. Now we are getting it. Too late to do anything now, you reap what you sow.

I go to the Herbert fairly regularly, well, three or four times a year. Not sure what you mean by the permanent displays are uninspiring. How would you like them to inspire you? Me, I just find it a pleasurable experience to mooch round for an hour or so and have a bite to eat in the café. I would be quite happy to pay an admission fee. Well worth it.

Why is it uninspiring? Well, I believe the art collection they have is pretty second-rate. It pales into insignificance when compared to other provincial galleries I have visited. My wife is also into art and not from Coventry, and her disappointment at the offerings at the Herbert was considerable. I don't expect it to compare to our visits to places such as the Prado, Hermitage, Louvre etc, but there really isn't much to write home about at the Herbert. They have had some good temporary exhibitions, such as the Blitz and the FA Cup win, and they are the only reason I would bother going now. I certainly would not pay to visit.

Well that's just a matter of opinion regarding the art collection and paling into insignificance. I think it's pretty good. Liked the Blitz one, couldn't care less about the FA Cup win so didn't see it.

Whilst I agree that art is subjective, the fact remains that there is very little art of significance at the Herbert. To attract people, and certainly to expect them to pay, you need significant items from 'name' artists or they will not come. The temporary exhibitions will attract interested parties if they are any good. That isn't the issue for me, it's the parts that house the permanent collection that are the problem.

What people regard as significant is definitely subjective. A provincial museum has to rely on financial donations from rich benefactors or donations of pieces of significance being given to them. How would the people of Coventry react if the Herbert spent millions of pounds on an item of significance - and that's what it takes these days. But provincial museums should concentrate on the items significant to their city and I don't think Rembrandt or Titian were locals.

You are right, Pixrobin. Most galleries have owned their top quality works for many decades in some cases, and they have received many of them in the way you suggest. I suppose the Herbert is not in that fortunate position. By 'significant' I am referring to artists of at least national renown, not amateur society members. Of course the city is not in a position to acquire pictures for millions, but that isn't what I'm saying. I merely point out that the works of art in there are not of sufficient quality to attract a paying clientele. There is certainly a place for any provincial gallery to dedicate a section to local work as part of a collection.

I think these artists would be considered fairly significant. Lowry, Stanley Spencer, Lucas de Heere, David Bomberg, Paul Nash, Henry Moore, David Hockney. All have examples of their work on display at the Herbert.

I visited the 'Herbert' just one time, it was very formal and the most interesting bit was the old bicycles which I assume are at the Transport Museum now. There was very little of 'Coventry' in it that I could see, so I wouldn't recommend it to visitors. The small museum in Warwick at least purports to have a dino skeleton found in Warwickshire and of course 'Ye greate fire of Warwicke' material. I have been in there lots of times.

Sorry, but I remain ambivalent to the Herbert, just as I do to a similar museum where I live now. People say that it is not about the city, just as in Coventry. The local council has no clue, another point shared across the ocean.

Mike, I think you make some fair points. The Herbert seems very sterile to me now, or as I said before, uninspiring. The Googled list of artists in the post above rather makes the point, I feel, as many of those will be a mystery to most casual visitors. I suspect the charging of visitors will be explored but the footfall would be very low if that happened. I don't believe it's about the council not having a clue, just about having no money. I do get the Herbert's regular emails and, in fairness, they do try hard with various events and so on. Austerity Britain will have precious little of value left if it continues as it is now. Surely Canada isn't that bad?

Regarding the Herbert. About 10-12 years ago I enquired about a hexagonal seat that had been donated by my Grand Aunt in memory of her husband Sgt Jack Reddington who had died in France in 1916 during the First World War. I remember the seat very well. It used to be to the left of the main entrance next to the Natural History Section. At that time I was told that it was in storage during the Gallery's "Re-vamp". When it did not reappear I enquired many times to no avail. Eventually in 2014 (the 100th Anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War) I was informed that it had been "disposed of" as it was not conducive with current museum concept & design. My Great Uncle Jack died in 1916 and has a tree dedicated to his memory in the Memorial Park. After his death my Grand Aunt moved to Sussex but supported the Herbert and donated the seat and was present on the Herbert's opening day in 1960. When she died in 1973 she bequeathed a sum of £200 (now worth £1,100 for its upkeep. I feel extremely let-down by the Herbert but sincerely hope that when it is closed forever some un-educated **** doesn't chuck everything else in the nearest skip like the previous ****s.

They put events on here, and maybe some go to see them out of curiosity, but there has been nothing where I have thought 'wow, must go see that', so I don't go. Trouble is that there is no history before 1700 anywhere in Canada really, and nothing of merit ever happened in London Ontario other than the construction of a huge Labatt's Brewery.

People in Coventry don't support local businesses or venues, and then are up in arms when the inevitable happens and they close down. The city needs to stop obsessing with the blitz and find a more viable and less warlike thing to obsess about. I think a Naked Lady on a horse and a chap who has his eyes spiked out could be a good start. It need refreshing. We need some more characters in that legend to make it a bit more racy, probably something that we could use to build a roller coaster or theme park around. Godiva Land? A monster would be good, and maybe more nudity. And a roof on that cathedral would be a good start.

People in Coventry don't support local businesses or venues Why do you think that is flapdoodle? (Not a loaded question, I'm genuinely interested.)

I want to know how they disposed of the hexagonal chair. It's a disgrace & I used to enjoy the thing very much. Regarding the Art collection, it's very mixed, quality wise. The Old Masters are second rate and the Lowry is pretty dull. I hate the plastic figures and Gavin Turk bent metal. Some of the Sculpture is darn good though. The murals on the front by the local chap Walter Ritchie are excellent. I think they used to be on the long gone fountain in the Precinct which was a bit of a Speakers corner at one time. I also wonder what they've got in storage ? A hexagonal bench might look nice.