Portrait of Mademoiselle Claus by Édouard Manet
Wed 24 Apr 13 - Sun 02 Jun 13
We are delighted to announce that a painting by Édouard Manet, judged to be of outstanding cultural importance, is to go on show in April. Manet’s Portrait of ... view details
Exhibitions > Archived Exhibitions
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This is the fifth year that Durham County Council has staged the open art exhibition, which over the years has grown from strength to strength. The exhibition is now an established annual event that ...more
The Bowes Museum’s exhibition Rokeby: (Poetry & Landscape) Walter Scott & Turner in Teesdale, marks the bicentenary of the publication of Scott’s epic poem, Rokeby, a thrilling ...more
To mark the Centenary Year of the launch of the titanic, students from the Fashion Marketing Degree Course at Northumbria Design were asked to explore and research past historical style in ...more
Artist Linda Birch, illustrator of Bagpuss & The Clangers , is to have an exhibition of her work at The Bowes Museum, where she holds regular painting classes. Beyond Bagpuss – an ...more
Celebrating the representation of food over the past five centuries, Feast your Eyes will explore fashions in food and drink throughout Europe from the 16th to the 21st Century. Ranging from ...more
See examples of work by all 22 artists taking part in Teesdale Open Studios 2012. Then head out to meet the artists in their studios during Teesdale Open Studios itself. The Fox and ...more
The first exhibition to focus exclusively on the bronze sculptures of celebrated artist Keith Coventry opens at The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle on 14 July. Coventry is a key member of what has ...more
Luca Costigliolo, an internationally celebrated theatrical and historical costumier, is re-creating the ball gown that Joséphine Bowes is wearing in her portrait below. The dress is being ...more
Our Sporting Life is a unique and ambitious national celebration of British Sport, with 100 exhibitions being held all over Britain to salute sport from the grass roots to the Olympic podia. Its aim ...more
One of British Fashion’s best loved characters, whose client list boasts style icons such as French First Lady Carla Bruni alongside pop divas Madonna and Kylie Minogue, is exhibiting a ...more
The Bowes Museum is delighted to announce that it is the only UK venue to be included in the European tour of this photographic exhibition featuring prominent 20th century Mexican artists Frida Kahlo ...more
This summer’s show in the Fashion & Textile Gallery at The Bowes Museum features a dress designed by Lucile which spotlights both the glamorous and dangerous worlds of 1912. The ...more
An exciting programme of Contemporary Art & Fashion to include: • a stunning wedding gown designed by Titanic survivor, Lucile , Lady Duff Gordon • enigmatic black and white ...more
An exhibition designed to tell and illustrate the Easter story for Christians and Non-Christians, centred on the famous painting by El Greco of ‘The Tears of St.Peter’, bought by John ...more
Artist, lecturer and writer June Crisfield Chapman is also an experienced wood engraver whose work in this medium is to be the focus of a new exhibition at The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle in the ...more
Stunning works of art by some of the UK’s greatest makers of contemporary lace are to go on display at The Bowes Museum. The Study, Design and Create exhibition has been inspired by the ...more
A display of Dickens-related objects to mark the anniversary, including an exceptional scale model of his house at 48 Doughty Street in London (now the Dickens House Museum). This comes complete with ...more
A rare and beautiful evening gown is to be the subject of a new display at The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle this winter, taking visitors back one hundred years, to the aristocratic lifestyle of ...more
Dutch Landscapes: Paintings from the Royal Collection , brings together 38 remarkable works from the ‘golden age’ of Dutch painting, generously lent by Her Majesty The Queen. The ...more
John P. Eckblad worked as a management consultant to large petrochemical complexes on Teesside in north-eastern England and in northern Europe. In northern England in about 1974, he purchased his ...more
A unique exhibition of textile sculptures is to go on display in the new Fashion & Textile Gallery at The Bowes Museum. Created by textile artist Naseem Darbey, the display is a dramatic ...more
An exhibition aimed at families, exploring the customs and traditions surrounding life and death in Ancient Egypt. Follow the journey to the afterlife from the magical spells and the strange ...more
This exhibition celebrates the ingenuity and creativity of British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, focusing on her designs of the ultimate fetish object: the shoe. Following the success of the ...more
Flower power is the theme running through the first large scale show in Britain to celebrate the still life paintings of Henri Fantin-Latour. Although the artist’s name might not be the first ...more
Needles can be heard clicking away at The Bowes Museum this Spring as the Barnard Castle treasure house indulges in a ‘knit-fest.’ The Museum’s Keeper of Textiles, Joanna Hashagen, ...more
Following a £12m refurbishment, The Bowes Museum brings a global name to the Barnard Castle treasure house this autumn with the opening of Damien Hirst: Print Maker . This world class ...more
As part of the national museumaker project the Museum has commissioned work by maker Laura Baxter. Laura is a craftsperson who uses metals, glass and wood to create jewellery, lighting and decorative ...more
A selection of work by local artists shown in conjunction with the annual Teesdale Open Studios event, where around the dale participating local artists open their studios to visitors. Works are for ...more
A retrospective exhibition of the work of internationally acclaimed animal sculptor Sally Arnup, featuring bronzes of a wide range of animal and birds. The complicated process of making a bronze is ...more
Northern Light – Celebrating the Landscape of the Northern Dales, which opens on Saturday 22 May, is part of the annual Swaledale Festival which, for the first time in its 30 year history, is ...more
British Sporting Art, will explore the genre of Sporting Art in Britain, from horseracing and hunting to boxing, football and cricket. Central to the theme of the exhibition, which will include ...more
One of the oldest and most intriguing paintings in The Bowes Museum’s collection is the focal point of a new display. The small panel, A Miracle of the Sacrament by Sassetta, painted in Siena ...more
Late in 1792 Goya became severely ill, and even though he eventually recovered he was left profoundly deaf for the rest of his days. During a period of recuperation he produced a set of small cabinet ...more
Visitors to The Bowes Museum this summer can wallow in a trip down memory lane at the major Toy Tales exhibition. The exhibition, is a celebration of 60 years of BBC children’s television ...more
An exploration of the Museum’s two famous large Canaletto’s saved for the nation in 1980 by The Art Fund; Regatta on the Grand Canal and The Bucintoro Returning to the Molo. ...more
An in depth exploration of The Bowes Museum’s watercolours by JMW Turner. This display will feature the recently acquired Bowes Tower , produced to illustrate Sir Walter Scott’s epic ...more
A contemporary craft exhibition at the National Glass Centre, Sunderland, will feature items from The Bowes Museum’s collections, contrasting the old and new. Single pieces by contemporary ...more
This autumn sees the first ever Teesdale Open Studios, where artists around the dale welcome visitors to their studios, with the Museum acting as a central hub, featuring a piece of work from each. ...more
A prestigious exhibition exploring many of the most popular Bible stories visualized by Western artists and craftsmen opens at The Bowes Museum on Saturday 11 October. Faith and Love: ...more
The work of Alfred Sisley is on now show at The Bowes Museum; the first major exhibition devoted to this leading Impressionist to take place outside London in half a century. Alfred ...more
Nature’s Delights includes a selection of wildlife paintings by Charles Frederick Tunnicliffe, who introduced a wider audience to the countryside with his illustrations for ...more
Intricate illustrative works, many inspired by objects in The Bowes Museum’s collections, form the basis of the selling exhibition, Illumination: Judy Hurst , by this North East based ...more
A retrospective of this acclaimed 20th century Teesdale based photographer, featuring landscapes, fashion photographs, portraits and more. ...more
A tribute to the renowned 19th and 20th century Teesdale photographer. An eclectic record of Barnard Castle and the dale. ...more
The Bowes Museum is offering visitors a taste of the Orient with a special showcased display of objects celebrating the influence of Chinese design, to acknowledge the year of the Beijing Olympics. ...more
An exhibition of contemporary textiles inspired by plants to coincide with the exhibition Emile Gallé and The Origins of Art Nouveau. This exhibition explores plants and their continued ...more
Mrs Mary Bowes, great-grandmother of John Bowes, was a patron of the Newcastle based 18th century composer Charles Avison. These manuscripts are dedicated to her with music from them being performed ...more
The Bowes Museum’s collections include an early commission from Gallé, a glass cabaret set made in 1872 to order for Joséphine Bowes. It forms the starting point for this ...more
Complementing the Gallé display, this is a selling exhibition of contemporary furniture and designs for the home, by Alex Taylor. ...more
This acclaimed painting of The Queen, created before a BBC One television audience of millions, visits The Bowes Museum. ...more
73 watercolours and drawings dating from the 18th to the 20th centuries, including Gainsborough, Augustus John and John Piper. Some were bought at auction, some purchased during World War II to raise ...more
To mark the bicentenary of the Parliamentary abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, a display of fine and decorative arts tracing the demand for luxury goods. Public conservation of ...more
Fine & Fashionable features one of the world's largest collections of lace. It was put together in the 19th century by the father and son, Anthony and Arthur Blackborne, master lace dealers. ...more
This national loan exhibition was built around the exciting acquisition by The Bowes Museum, of a portrait by the impressionist painter Paul Helleu. It explored the life of Helleu and other ...more
This selling exhibition of contemporary landscape paintings was by regional artist Sue Lawson, who works in the Romantic English tradition, referencing Turner, Constable and the Impressionists. ...more
This major exhibition, curated by The Bowes Museum, explored JMW Turner’s stunning watercolours of the North of England. Paintings of Durham and Richmondshire were accompanied by other ...more
This exhibition had toured from the National Portrait Gallery ...more
The colourful textile exhibition, produced by local community groups, told the story of the landscape, industries and lifestyles that shaped the dale. ...more
This exhibition celebrated the 250th anniversary of this famous Queen’s birth through objects from The Bowes Museum’s collection ...more
Intriguing insights into the Napoleonic era will be shown in public for the first time. Also featuring works from the British Museum and the National Gallery, the exhibition coincides with the 200th ...more
Nineteenth century painter John Sell Cotman continues to inspire generations of artists. From collections all over Britain, his stunning landscapes were brought together in the exhibition, which ...more
This exquisite masterpiece acquired amidst huge publicity, and two accompanying works by Titian and Ghirlandaio, were on tour from the National Gallery, London. ...more
This major exhibition offered a unique insight into the lives and cultural history of the inhabitants of the ancient Kingdoms of the Nile. It was on tour from the Sudan National Museum, Khartoum via ...more
The dynamic selection of Parkinson’s fashion photography from the National Gallery Collection, concentrated on the styles and glamour of the 1950s. This exhibition was accompanied by ...more
Featured a selection of paintings and drawings by acclaimed eighteenth century artist François Boucher. (in association with the Wallace Collection, London). ...more
This was a lively exhibition by Lubaina Himid and other leading contemporary artists. A mixture of painting, furniture and installations, responded to the magical history of The Bowes Museum. ...more
This nationally acclaimed exhibition contained some of the most striking posters ever created by Toulouse-Lautrec and his contemporaries. These works, mostly depicting late nineteenth century ...more
This exhibition was produced by the Yorkshire Sculptors Group. The active group of artists produced a range of mixed media sculptures for this challenging and thought-provoking contemporary show. ...more
Respected regional artist Anthony Clark had created new work for this major show. This body of work had been inspired by Clark’s recent visits to Spain, Italy and Greece and by several artists ...more
This major exhibition explored the relationship between Boudin and Monet and their interaction with other French painters working in Normandy during the second half of the 19th century. Paintings ...more
This exhibition marked the 10th anniversary of The Braid Society. It looked at all types of narrow wares from military braids to mousetraps and celebrated the diverse world of braids and bands made ...more
This exhibition looked at how the notable grand gardens of the North East were created and the personalities behind them. From competitions in pineapple growing to commissioning sweeping landscapes, ...more
Simon Morrissey, awarded the first Bowes Fellowship, curated this thought provoking exhibition. Contemporary artists explored attitudes towards mortality, and related ideas of remembrance, ...more
This was a chance to see the superb new copy of the greatest illustrated book to come out of the North east, by permission of The British Library. ...more
This exhibition had been produced by the after Schools Club at The Bowes Museum and was a collection of children’s interpretation of their favourite paintings from The Tim Rice Collection. ...more
Was from a selection of contemporary illustrations from books, children’s books, magazines and newspapers, by the association of Illustrators. ...more
This stunning exhibition celebrated the work of William Morris and his contemporaries, leaders of the Arts and Crafts Movement in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A major section of ...more
Masterpieces from the private collection of Sir Tim Rice, one of Britain’s most celebrated lyricists. Sir Tim, who is well known for works such as Evita, Chess and Jesus Christ Superstar loaned ...more
This was a spectacular collection of engraved glass work by the Northern Branch of the Guild of Glass Engravers. ...more
Haiku poets and glass artists inspired each other to create an unusual and captivating display. Curated by Dominic Fonde. ...more
This exhibition explored the history of bridal fashion since the mid-19th century. Exquisite gowns from the Museum’s extensive wedding dress collection illustrated changing styles, colours and ...more
The history of this intricate woodworking technique was explored through The Bowes Museum’s furniture collection with contemporary pieces, which demonstrated how the art form remains highly ...more
Six outstanding Spanish and English contemporary painters established a rich cultural dialogue through expensive abstract art for this amazing exhibition. The Bowes Museum has long established links ...more
In this exhibition household objects changed into the unexpected. The humble domestic WC is something we almost ignore because of its intimate familiarity, yet in this exhibition it was transformed ...more
This exhibition showed one of the largest groups of French Impressionist paintings to come to the North East. Outstanding works by artists such as Renoir, Monet, Pissarro and Sisley were represented. ...more
Seemingly familiar objects became the unfamiliar- uncanny, disturbing. Two London Curators. Touring Show ...more
An elaborate recreation of early 19th century ceremonial table setting, using a unique set of moulds being bought by the Museum – created by Ivan Day and Peter Brears. Also examples of 16th, ...more
Historic Watercolours - record of the Northern Coalfields. From the Hatton Gallery, Newcastle ...more
This was newly commisioned work by 20 artists created to mark special occasions defining contemporary 'British' society. ...more
How religion and ritual impacts on young offenders 'time' in HMYOI Deerbolt. ...more
Explored the relationship between craft & industry, new technologies and materials. ...more
Designers of royal headwear, their lives and designs - particularly the Queen MOther's hats. ...more
Techniques, materials and reasons why conservation is a vital part of a museum's work. ...more
Variety of unseen, unusual, newly conserved or unique works from the collection - connected by the John and Josephine story. ...more
A selection of costume jewellery from the collection. ...more
Studio pottery of the 60s, a Schools Museum service collection, now valuable and to be conserved. ...more
Modern Items for the home from the Evans and Wong catologue, Paris. ...more
Exhibition devoted to the history of the Friends ...more
An exhibtion of conceptual garden furniture from the ICA ...more
Exhibition of work from Teesdale Comprehensive School ...more
Drawings and Photographs from the RIBA, 1700 - 1950 ...more
The rebirth of an important tapestry ...more
Landscape paintings from The Bowes Museum formely exhibited at the Durham Art Gallery ...more
A loan exhibtion of material from the Royal Shakespeare Company ...more
An installation of video and music devised by Spennymoor ...more
An exhibtion of work by artists and craftspeople working in Teesdale today ...more
A survey of carpet-weaving industry in Barnard Castle ...more
Historic costume from the collection, and replicas from the film 'Sense and Sensibility' ...more
Modern British and European artists integrated into the collection ...more
A survey of the family and their collections ...more
Costumes from Granada television in aid of Save the Children ...more
Recent acquisitions for the collection ...more
An exhibition of Japanese works of art in the Museum collection and also an exhibition by Sian Bowen of 'Mosha - the art of copy'. Later to be toured to Berwick Museum and Art Gallery and Durham ...more
Exhibition of items conserved during the past 10 years. ...more
Recent acquisitions of quilts from The Bowes Museum collection. Quilting demonstration, a book signing by Amy Emms M.B.E and a quilting workshop took place. ...more
A photographic display of work during the summer on the A66 excavations. ...more
A special display to illustrate the Museum's European connections was mounted at the Dolphin Center, Darlington. During the week a publicity and information desk was manned by staff. ...more
Worn by Linda Morritt for her marriage in 1912 to William Rhodes Moorhouse V.C. ...more
This exhibition, mounted by The Bowes Museum, was a survey of the dozen historic and private landscaped parks and gardens in Teesdale as well as Teesdale's landscape and rare alphine ...more
A Hyacinth Display was in The Bowes Museum park and display of rare hyacinths form Wycliffe Hall Botanical Gardens in the Museum. ...more
A small display of costume made by dressmakers in the North-East 1876-1911. ...more
A selection from the permanent collection with recent acquisitions and loans, including quilts made by quilting groups. ...more
Works by County Durham schoolchildren based on the Museum collections. ...more
A display showing archaeological excavation being carried out on the A66 at Stainmore pass, before work began on making the road a dual carriageway. Children from Bowes School have also made a ...more
An exhibition by Malcolm Partridge of formal portraits, landscapes, still-lifes and animal paintings and a group of ceramic and silver designs. ...more
An exhibition to commemorate the bicentenary of the French Revolution. ...more
A selection of rare and interesting books from the re-opened library ...more
Dolls Houses, Shops and Roundabouts by the Gilda Workshop, Bishop Auckland organised by Mrs. Mollie Jenkins ...more
An exhibition which interpreted the Teesdale landscapes through photographs, painting, sculpture and literature by two Teesdale artists and two visiting artists. ...more
Works of art which formed the Lambton collection including 'The Red Boy'. The insurance premium of this painting was paid by The Friends of The Bowes Museum. ...more
Works of art from a Private Collection. Dutch and Flemish paintings of the 16th and 17th centuries as well as woodcarvings, alabasters and ivories from the late 15th th the 18th century. ...more
An exhibition of air photgraphs of North east England, together with finds from excavations in County Durham. This exhibition was organised by Cleveland County Council. ...more
An exhibition which was organised by The Bowes Museum to look at the progress of agriculture in North east England over the past 4,000 years ...more
A new display of the full-skirted dresses worn over the crinoline, together with the various horsehair and crinoline contraptions for expanding the skirts. ...more
A new display of embroidery as a form of decoration on clothing ranging from the Regency period to the Paris fashions of the 1920's. ...more
An exhibition of which contained German porcelain taken mainly from the reserve collections and including the new acquisition Women with a Spinning Wheel, Meissen figure c.1745 ...more
A selection of quilts from the Museum's own collection and for a short time on display 'The Northumbria Quilt' the latter was 'raffled' in order to raise funds for The Northumbria Historic Churches ...more
An exhibition on the history of cycling in the north-east, organised by Tyne & Wear Museums Service and toured by the North of England Museums Service, supplemented by local loans. ...more
An exhibition by The Bowes Museum to mark the bicentenary of Bonomi's birth and the publication of a study of the architect life written by Mrs. June Crosby and published by the Durham City Trust. ...more
An exhibition of items from the permanent collection, chosen by Sir Nicholas Goodison, Chairman of the NA-CF and Chairman of the Stock Exchange to help publicise the NA-CF. ...more
During the winter months a selection of the Museum's collection of spanish paintings and French porcelain was on display. ...more
A display of books, manuscripts and photographs commemorating the 200th anniversary of Hutchinson's History of Durham ...more
This exhibition was organised by The Bowes Museum at the request of the County Durham branch of the NA-CF ...more
Prehistoric stone and flint implements ...more
An exhibition of photographs organised and toured by the Side Gallery, Newcastle. ...more
Chairs and Chaircovers from 17th and 18th century from the Bowes Museum ...more
An exhibition to commemorate the 600th anniversary of John Wycliffe ...more
The Bowes Museum and the Laing Art Gallery to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the NA-CF ...more
Exhibition of objects collected by Teesdale residents ...more
The Bowes Museum Collection ...more
Organised by D.C. Archive ...more
Also special displays marking H.M. Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother's connections with The Bowes Museum ...more
The Bowes Museum's Collection ...more