Imperial War Museum London

The two suites of galleries on the second floor are used for long-term exhibitions of First and Second World War works of art from the Museum's collection. The displays are changed at regular intervals.

One of the most famous paintings in the Museum's collection, Gassed by John Singer Sargent, is shown in the Sargent room.

The art collection is rich in modern British painting by most of the leading artists of the twentieth century, including Sir William Orpen, Sir John Lavery, Sir George Clausen, Augustus John, Sir Stanley Spencer, Paul and John Nash, Percy Wyndham Lewis, William Roberts, C R W Nevinson and Eric Kennington.

'Sir Ernest Gowers...in the ARP Control Room' by Meredith Frampton

The art of the Second World War (which also includes work by Paul Nash and Kennington) was dominated by Henry Moore, Graham Sutherland, John Piper, Anthony Gross, Thomas Hennell, Edward Ardizzone, Eric Ravilious and Edward Bawden, all of whom are represented in the collection.

In addition there are significant holdings of work by Carel Weight, Mervyn Peake, Evelyn Dunbar and Richard Eurich. Recent acquisitions have included works by Edward Burra, Cecil Collins, John Tunnard and Sir Stanley Spencer.

The large gallery on the same level is used for a programme of temporary exhibitions based on the Museum's own collection of fine and graphic art, supplemented by loans from public and private collections. Contemporary art is also part of the programme. For details of currents exhibitions click here.

If you are coming to the Museum to see a particular painting, it is advisable to telephone the Department of Art on 0207 416 5228 to check that the work is available.