Richmond Hill by JMW Turner
Exhibition: Masterpiece Watercolours and Drawings, Gallery 4, The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry, until March 22 2009
Watercolours and drawings from some of the country’s finest artists have gone on display in a major new exhibition at The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry.
Works by the likes of JMW Turner, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Edward Lear are included among 50 pieces at the newly refurbished gallery.
Lancaster by David Cox
Dominic Bubb, exhibitions officer at The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, said the rare display of the Lady Lever Art Gallery’s collection was “magnificent.”
“This collection follows the development of the British watercolour school in the 18th century through to the 19th and 20th centuries,” said Bubb.
“The first section concentrates on the British drawings and watercolours that Lever collected from the 1890s until his death in 1925, the second section explores his relationship with art dealers, particularly James Orrock, and the third section highlights the acquisitions made by trustees at the gallery since his death.”
Peace and War by David Cox
The Lady Lever, in Port Sunlight, Merseyside, was founded by William Hesketh Lever, the First Viscount Leverhulme, the mastermind Victorian entrepreneur who took mass-produced soap to the world and devised the concept of building a village for his workforce.
“There are some fantastic watercolours by an array of artists including John Constable and JMW Turner as well as works by Victorian illustrators Helen Allingham and Kate Greenaway,” added Bubb.
“The majority of these works of art had not been on display until this year as part of Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture celebrations so we are delighted to be bringing this rare collection to the city."
Landscape and River Scene by Paul Sandby
A display of The Herbert’s costume selection, containing items and outfits relating to the work on show chosen by curators, has also been set up.
A series of events, talks and tours accompany the exhibition – call the gallery for details.
