Compton Verney has been transformed from a derelict 18th century Robert Adam mansion into a new gallery of international standing. The £64 million project, which is funded by the Peter Moores Foundation, took ten years to complete and is the realisation of a life-long aim held by Sir Peter Moores.

Over twenty gallery spaces have been created inside the mansion. The three floors of galleries lead progressively to more abstract and flexible spaces on the upper floors. The new learning centre is housed in the 19th century

coach house and links to the 18th century brewhouse and butler’s cottage. Compton Verney is unusual in that it fuses art, architecture, landscape and learning; the Gallery is currently working in partnership with DEFRA to manage the historic 120 acres of parkland landscaped by Capability Brown and restore wildlife habitats and recreate an 18th century landscape of trees and grassland.

The Gallery opened in March 2004, the first time that the complete building was fully accessible to the public. More than 800 works of art are held in the Gallery’s permanent collections including paintings, sculpture, bronzes, pottery and folk art. Its six art collections feature works from southern Italy; German paintings and sculpture; bronzes and pottery from China, dating as far back as the Neolithic period; British portraits and furniture from 1550-1750; British folk art including whirligigs, trade signs and models; and The Marx-Lambert collection representing the work of graphic artist and textile designer, Enid Marx.

Compton Verney also has an ambitious programme of contemporary art exhibitions and thematic shows. In April 2004, it exhibited Luper at Compton Verney, an installation by filmmaker Peter Greenaway and Only Make Believe, curated by writer and critic, Marina Warner, will be on show from March to June 2005.

  Previous     Next  

Top