The Walters Art Gallery

About this book

The Walters Art Gallery was opened to the public on 16 June 1934 a result of the combined efforts of the unique father-and-son collectors William and Henry Walters. William Henrys father was founder of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and began to collect art mainly from France the Far East and contemporary New York. By the end of his life at the end of the 19th century he had amassed one of Americas major collections of both European and Asian art. Henry Walters expanded his fathers collection and in 1902 founded a museum. In 1909 he ventured further and opened a new gallery. This housed his collection of Greek ceramics and Roman sculpture early Byzantine art Medieval art manuscripts and incunabula Renaissance paintings 18th century porcelain 18th and 19th century paintings and Asian art.