News Article

A major exhibition focusing on the work of the great British painter JMW Turner has opened at The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle.

Paintings of Durham and Richmondshire are accompanied by other fascinating works from the North of England including depictions of Farnley Hall in Yorkshire, Brinkburn Priory in Northumberland and Lancaster Sands in Lancashire.

A highlight of the exhibition is a painting of Barnard Castle on loan from the Yale Center for British Art in the United States.  This picture has never before been on display in the town of Barnard Castle and is an opportunity for people of the region to view a significant work of art of local interest. 

Exhibition curator, Emma House, from The Bowes Museum comments: “It is a wonderful opportunity to bring together such a prestigious collection of paintings that were inspired by Turner’s visit to the region almost 200 years ago.”

A full colour catalogue written by Emma House accompanies the exhibition thanks to funding from the Friends of The Bowes Museum.  Included within the publication is new research on Turner’s watercolour materials and techniques by Paul Clark and an essay by local art historian Michael Rudd investigating Turner’s sketchbooks.

A programme of events accompany the exhibition including gallery talks, a painting workshop, and guided walks by Michael Rudd which will visit the beauty spots that inspired Turner.

The exhibition has been supported with loans from a number of national and international institutions including the British Museum, Tate, V&A, Leeds City Art Gallery, Durham Record Office, Graves Art Gallery and the Yale Center for British Art.   The loan from the Yale Center for British Art in the United States has been made possible with support from the County Durham Development Company and a number of individual donors. 

The exhibition will run until 14 May 2006.  For more information and a full programme call 01833 690606 or visit www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk.

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Editor’s Note:
· The Bowes Museum was created over 100 years ago by an extraordinary couple, John and Joséphine Bowes.  Together they built up the greatest private collection of fine and decorative arts in the North of England and constructed a magnificent building to house them in.  The collection contains thousands of objects including furniture, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, textiles and many other items covering an extensive range of European styles and periods. 
· Normal admission to the museum: Adults £7.00, Concessions £6.00, Children Free (under 16s).  Admission allows access to all exhibitions, permanent displays and some events.
· The Bowes Museum is open daily 11.00 to 5.00.  Café Bowes opens at 10.00 Monday to Saturday (11.00 Sunday) and closes daily at 4.30.