About Maggi Hambling
the first Artist in Residence at the National Gallery, painting the sea at Aldeburgh and sculpting a scallop for Britten on the beach

Where to see Maggi Hambling
Ranked by works you can see in person.
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6 works
National Portrait Gallery
St Martin's Place, United Kingdom
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4 works
Tate
Tate Britain, United Kingdom
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3 works
Norfolk Museums Collections
Norwich Castle, United Kingdom
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3 works
Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre
Southbank Centre, United Kingdom
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3 works
Southampton City Art Gallery
Southampton, United Kingdom
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2 works
Harris Museum
Preston, United Kingdom
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2 works
National Galleries Scotland
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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2 works
British Council
London, United Kingdom
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2 works
Imperial War Museum London
London Borough of Southwark, United Kingdom
Also here (2)
View all 32 museums
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2 works
Colchester and Ipswich Museums Service
Colchester, United Kingdom
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1 works
Ashmolean Museum
Beaumont Street, United Kingdom
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1 worksVictoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road, United Kingdom
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1 works
Gainsborough's House
Sudbury, United Kingdom
Also here (1)
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1 works
Hepworth Wakefield
Wakefield, United Kingdom
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1 works
St Mary's Hospital
Newport, United Kingdom
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1 works
Rugby Art Gallery and Museum
Rugby, United Kingdom
Also here (1)
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1 works
Yale Center for British Art
New Haven, United States
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1 works
Museum & Art Swindon
Wiltshire, United Kingdom
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1 works
County Hall
Glenfields, United Kingdom
Also here (2)
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1 works
Birmingham Museums Trust
Birmingham, United Kingdom
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1 works
St John's College
Cambridge, United Kingdom
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1 works
Whitworth Art Gallery
Manchester, United Kingdom
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1 works
National Trust for Scotland
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Also here (3)
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1 works
Gracefield Arts Centre
Dumfries and Galloway, United Kingdom
Also here (2)
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1 works
Metropolitan Museum of Art
New York City, United States
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1 works
Guildhall Art Gallery
City of London, United Kingdom
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1 works
Government Art Collection
London, United Kingdom
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1 works
University of Warwick
Coventry, United Kingdom
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I see Maggi Hambling's work?
Maggi Hambling's art can be viewed in several public collections. In London, her work is held by the National Portrait Gallery, the Tate Gallery, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Other galleries outside London that hold her work include the Ulster Museum in Belfast; the City Art Gallery in Manchester; the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool; the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge; the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle-upon-Tyne; the Leeds City Art Gallery; the Barber Institute of Fine Arts in Birmingham; and the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff. Scottish galleries that hold her work include the Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh, and the Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery.Where is Maggi Hambling from?
Maggi Hambling was United Kingdom, born in 1945.What should I know about Maggi Hambling's prints?
When buying a fine-art print, bear in mind that the printmaker usually decides the edition size. The edition claim is a pair of numbers on the left bottom margin of the print; it consists of a print number and an edition number. The title of the print is written in the middle of the bottom margin; the signature is on the right. Edition descriptions are always signed in pencil. These conventions add value if believed; it is reasonable to expect a print to conform to the claims written on it. Claims and product descriptions are subject to the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 Section 2; this is a requirement to tell the truth when describing something. Japanese paper is susceptible to changes in humidity; finished prints should be kept interleaved with acid-free tissue in a drawer or box. Because of the fugitive nature of many pigments, the prints should not be hung in bright light for long periods. Some colours fade faster than others, giving the print a different appearance than intended. Prints should not be hung over radiators or other heat sources.Why are Maggi Hambling's works important today?
The importance of Maggi Hambling's work resides in her distinctive approach to portraiture and her unflinching exploration of mortality. Hambling is known for her expressive, often raw, style, capturing the essence of her subjects with bold brushstrokes and intense emotion. Her portraits are not merely likenesses; they are interpretations of character and feeling. Beyond portraiture, Hambling's 'Edge' series, paintings of the sea at the point where water meets land, reflects on themes of transience and the power of nature. Her public sculptures, such as the memorial to Oscar Wilde in London, demonstrate her ability to create thought-provoking and engaging works that resonate with a wide audience. Hambling's art confronts viewers with uncomfortable truths about life, death, and human nature, ensuring her continued relevance.Does Maggi Hambling still smoke?
In 1980, Maggi Hambling lined her studio walls with tin foil so she could smoke without setting off the alarms. She described herself as a professional smoker and stated that her three life essentials were a cigarette, a drink, and paintbrushes.Maggi Hambling techniques?
The passages mention choosing the right paints and brushes as a technique. With practice, one can become comfortable mixing colours and handling brushes.Who is Maggi Hambling?
Maggi Hambling was born in Sudbury, Suffolk, in 1945. Since childhood, she has been a compulsive observer, draftsman, reader, recorder, and note-taker.What techniques or materials did Maggi Hambling use?
Maggi Hambling is known for her expressive approach to a range of media. She often works in oil paint, creating textured surfaces with visible brushstrokes. Her handling of paint can be gestural and immediate, capturing a sense of movement and energy. Hambling's work also includes sculpture, often on a large scale. One example is "Scallop" (2003), a steel sculpture on Aldeburgh beach, Suffolk, dedicated to Benjamin Britten. She is also an accomplished printmaker, producing etchings and lithographs. Hambling's prints often share similar themes with her paintings, such as portraits and seascapes. Watercolour is another medium she employs, sometimes in combination with other materials. Her watercolours are characterised by their fluid quality and translucent colours. Across these different media, Hambling’s art is recognisable for its distinctive style and personal vision.
Sources
Where to See guide aggregates verified holdings of Maggi Hambling's works across the following collections.
- [1] museum Gracefield Arts Centre Used for: museum holdings.
- [2] museum Government Art Collection Used for: museum holdings.
- [3] museum National Galleries Scotland Used for: museum holdings.
- [4] museum Harris Museum Used for: museum holdings.
- [5] museum Guildhall Art Gallery Used for: museum holdings.
- [6] museum Whitworth Art Gallery Used for: museum holdings.
- [7] book 2019-05-01_Fine_Art_Connoisseur Used for: biography.
- [8] book Beckett, Wendy, Sister Wendy's odyssey : a journey of artistic discovery Used for: biography.
- [9] book Beckett, Wendy, The story of painting Used for: biography.
Editorial overseen by Solis Prints. Sources verified 2026-07-02. Click a source for details, or hover over [N] in the page above to preview.
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