Exhibitions Events Learn Support Books Editions Venue Hire About Visit Eat & Drink Join Today + Share this page About > Contact Us Whitechapel Gallery 77-82 Whitechapel High Street London E1 7QX T +44 (0)20 7522 7888 F +44 (0)20 7539 3340 Recorded Information +44 (0)20 7522 7878 E info@whitechapelgallery.org Tell us what you think feedback@whitechapelgallery.org Whitechapel Gallery Bookshop T +44 (0)20 7522 7897 E bookshop@whitechapelgallery.org W whitechapelgallery.org/bookshop The Whitechapel Refectory & After Hours T +44 (0)20 7522 7896 E refectory@whitechapelgallery.org W whitechapelgallery.org/the-refectory Departmental Enquiries Ticketing E tickets@whitechapelgallery.org Exhibitions* E exhibitionenquiries@whitechapelgallery.org Communications** E marketing@whitechapelgallery.org Development, Membership & Patrons E supporters@whitechapelgallery.org Education & Public Programmes E education@whitechapelgallery.org Limited Editions E editions@whitechapelgallery.org Whitechapel Gallery Publishing E publications@whitechapelgallery.org Venue Hire E hire@whitechapelgallery.org Archive & Reading Room E archiveenquiries@whitechapelgallery.org *The Whitechapel Gallery’s exhibition programmes are planned at least three years in advance, please note that we do not accept any unsolicited proposals. **Visit the press area for releases and enquiries. Follow us on Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Subscribe for email updates Supported using public funding by Arts Council England © Whitechapel Gallery 2021 | Terms & Conditions | IFS | Technical help Contact us Please note that we use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Ok

Exhibitions Events Learn Support Books Editions Venue Hire About Visit Eat & Drink Join Today + Share this page About > History > Through the Decades: Whitechapel Gallery Exhibitions English Sporting Pictures, 1950. Courtesy of the Whitechapel Gallery Archive. On 12th March 2021, the Whitechapel Gallery celebrates its 120th birthday! Its very first show was presented in 1901. Modern Pictures by Living Artists, Pre-Raphaelites and Old Masters attracted 260,000 visitors! Some say it was because it was the first time they’d seen electric lights, but founders Samuel and Henrietta Barnett knew that they were onto something big. They believed in the power of art – not only to educate, but also to unite communities who spoke different languages, held different religious beliefs and hailed from different backgrounds. 120 years has seen dramatic changes in the East End, but the Whitechapel Gallery’s exhibitions, education programmes and spirit of innovation remain constant. Below you’ll find a full timeline of exhibitions, with a message from Director Iwona Blazwick available on our Blog. 1901 - 1910 1911 - 1920 1921 - 1930 1931 - 1940 1941 - 1950 1951 - 1960 1961 - 1970 1971 - 1980 1981 - 1990 1991 - 2000 2001 - 2010 2011 - 2020 Follow us on Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Subscribe for email updates Supported using public funding by Arts Council England © Whitechapel Gallery 2021 | Terms & Conditions | IFS | Technical help Contact us