⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
Rich in history and quietly radical. Isabel Wilkinson offers an accessible but thoughtful look at how public art spaces in Britain came to be—and the cultural and political movements behind them. A niche subject, but told with clarity and care.

This is a really interesting and meticulously researched account of Britain’s public art galleries, from the very first ones to today – how they came into being, the motivations behind their founding, the controversies that often accompanied their founding, and the way in which they developed. It’s all written in a fairly dry academic style, although perfectly accessible, and I found the subject matter deeply fascinating and look forward to visiting at least some of the galleries again now I know so much more about their inception. Essential reading for all art lovers and gallery visitors.