Johannesburg Art Gallery

The Johannesburg Art Gallery, often referred to as JAG, is located in the centre of Joubert Park in the heart of the business district of Johannesburg. The biggest gallery on the sub-continent, JAG boasts over 9,000 works of art, displayed in 15 exhibition halls and sculpture gardens. In fact, only 10% of the exhibits are ever on display at one time, the rest are kept in storage. The exhibits range from artefacts, sculptures, drawings, paintings, prints and lacework. It is also home to 17th-century Dutch paintings, 18- and 19th-century British and European work as well as 19th-century and contemporary South African art.

The beautiful building itself was designed by Edward Lutyens, the British architect also responsible for the Anglo-Boer War Memorial.

The original collection was housed at University of the Witwatersrand prior to the gallery being built in 1915 just after the start of the First World War.

Tours are available but bookings must be made in advance.
Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Gerard Sekoto, Walter Battiss, Rodin, Henry Moore, William Kentridge and Sydney Kumalo are just a few of the acclaimed local and international artists whose work is exhibited at the Johannesburg Art Gallery.

The gallery, situated in the heart of Johannesburg’s central business district, on the edge of Joubert Park, has an extensive collection that spans 15 exhibition halls and collections ranging from 15th-century Europe to contemporary African art.


Johannesburg Art Gallery's old main entrance. Photo courtesy Wen Actually
The grand building may be somewhat overlooked in the hustle and bustle of downtown Johannesburg, but don’t let that deter you. Once you navigate the one-way streets and hooting taxis, you will be rewarded with a gallery that houses one of the largest collections of art in Africa. The collection is so extensive that, at any one time, the gallery is only able to exhibit 10% of its works – and the collection continues to grow, thanks to sponsorship from Anglo American and the City of Johannesburg.

The collection that formed the basis for the gallery as we know it today was first opened to the public in 1910 and was exhibited at the University of the Witwatersrand while the building was being constructed. The purpose-built art gallery was eventually opened in 1915, shortly after World War I began.

The gallery was extended in the 1940s, with east and west wings being added. Then, in 1986, the north facade was added.

The gallery building was designed by Edward Lutyens and the first collection was put together by Sir Hugh Lane. Lane initially exhibited the collection in London and then transferred it to South Africa. The collection was added to by Lady Florence Phillips and her mining magnate husband, Lionel Phillips.