Cannon Hall, the stunning Georgian Country House nestled in Barnsley’s beautiful countryside, looks forward to welcoming their latest exhibition which pays homage to their historic fruit collection.
‘Pears and Apples’ will run from Saturday, 25 May to Sunday, 3 November and puts a spotlight on Cannon Hall’s as an art destination as well as its significance as a horticultural hotspot.
Steeped in history the heritage attraction has a fascinating past, which people will discover as they wander round the stunning rooms and outdoor space. People can explore beautiful parklands and a walled gardens home to one the most northerly complete Historic Pear Collections
Visitor to the exhibition will be treated to a selection of original watercolours by Elisabeth Dowle, commissioned to feature in Dr Joan Morgan’s ‘The Book of Pears’ and ‘The New Book of Apples’. The exhibition itself was produced for the Royal Horticultural Society as a way to showcase the stunning works of art.
The display of work is particularly unique in that it focuses entirely on fruit, rather than the traditional flowers or landscapes. It will include twenty-five original pear watercolours and fifteen original apple watercolours. The botanical illustrations depict fruit variations such as the Buerre Hardy pear and the Worcester Pearmain apple, each one is painstakingly produced to provide the definitive point of reference for horticulturists, containing depictions of the fruit, blossom and leaf of the tree.
A vision to behold, the collection has taken over 20 years to complete – with each one taking approximately two years to produce. Cannon Hall are particularly thrilled about its arrival as it is the first time the work has been seen together in its entirety
Visitors to the exhibition will also be able to take a look at a selection of work by Pre-Raphaelite painters Evelyn De Morgan and her husband William De Morgan, who have strong connections to the area. Handpicked pieces of their work are on display in the upper rooms of the Hall. It is an unparalleled collection of work many of which have never before been on public display and include grand, sweeping canvases such as Evelyn De Morgan’s Boreas and Oreithyia, delicate drawings, curious decorative arts such as a head of Medusa with a gilded background of snakes and of course William De Morgan’s highly recognisable, brightly coloured and detailed ceramics.
To celebrate the exhibition, Cannon Hall will also be producing a series of postcards and a limited edition calendar that will feature some of Elisabeth Dowle’s artwork. They will be gorgeous pieces to keep as a memento of wonderful day out.
Entry to the museum and exhibition are free of charge and for more details visit their website at www.cannon-hall.com
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