Located in Joubert Park in the city centre of Johannesburg, the Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG) offers you a deeply historic, honest look into South Africa’s art scene. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and opened in 1915, this impressive building features 15 exhibition halls and sculpture gardens. It houses a massive collection of over 9,000 artworks—larger than Cape Town’s Iziko South African National Gallery.
When you visit, you will encounter 17th-century Dutch paintings, 18th- and 19th-century European masterworks, a print cabinet dating from the 15th century, and an extensive selection of contemporary local art. Highlights include pieces by Auguste Rodin, Pablo Picasso, and Claude Monet, alongside celebrated South African masters like Gerard Sekoto—whose work Yellow Houses became the gallery’s first purchase from a Black artist in 1940—as well as Pierneef and Walter Battiss. It is important to know that JAG currently faces serious structural challenges, water leaks, and maintenance issues, leading to closed halls and display shifts.
Despite these ongoing struggles, visiting allows you to appreciate a landmark institution that local groups like the Friends of JAG are actively working to support and preserve for future generations of art lovers.
What to see at Johannesburg Art Gallery
- Explore a collection of over 9,000 artworks featuring international masters like Picasso, Monet, Degas, and Rodin.
- View historic South African art, including Gerard Sekoto's landmark 1940 acquisition, Yellow Houses.
- Admire the original 1915 architecture designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens alongside its 15 exhibition halls and sculpture gardens.
- Discover an extensive print cabinet containing works spanning from the 15th century to the present.
- See contemporary art from local South African artists actively addressing colonial imbalances.
Visiting tips
Check community updates or connect with the volunteer organization Friends of JAG before visiting, as ongoing maintenance issues and leaks have caused closed halls and artwork removals.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime
How to get there & what’s nearby
Johannesburg Art Gallery is easy to reach on Johannesburg’s public transport. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Johannesburg travel guide.
See the full Johannesburg travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.