Nationally significant paintings to arrive at Preston Park Museum as part of S&DR200 Festival
Three iconic paintings by celebrated Victorian artist William Powell Frith are heading to Preston Park Museum this September as part of a landmark exhibition which will see them displayed as a group for the first time.
The Railway Station, Life at the Seaside (Ramsgate Sands) and Derby Day will form part of Gateway to the World, one of the exhibitions set to open in The Spence Building, the Museum's new multi-million-pound extension.
This will also be the first time that any of the three paintings have been exhibited in the North East, offering residents and visitors a unique opportunity to view these nationally significant paintings without having to travel outside of the region.
William Powell Frith (1819 to 1909) was known for his large-scale compositions which captured the nuance and drama of everyday life, blending individual stories with sweeping social commentary.
The presentation of these three paintings as a group creates a uniquely powerful exhibition, illuminating the impact the railways had on society, bringing people together from different social classes for new shared experiences.
The panoramic scenes teem with life, character and complexity. Together these paintings chart the expanding possibilities of the Victorian world as they enjoyed the opportunity to travel for pleasure; from crowded platforms, to bustling seaside resorts and thriving racetracks.
Gateway to the World is one of the 'Tracks of Change' exhibitions presented by S&DR200, the year-long international festival celebrating the bicentenary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.
The paintings are on loan from celebrated national collections, with Ramsgate Sands and The Railway Station, lent by His Majesty The King from the Royal Collection, and Derby Day on loan from Manchester City Galleries.
Visitors can see the landmark exhibition as part of the newly extended Preston Park Museum. It will open on Saturday 13 September and close on 7 December.
Councillor Nigel Cooke, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for the Environment, Leisure and Culture, said: "Preston Park Museum will be showcasing a range of exhibitions in the museum's new exhibition space throughout 2025, all looking at the stories of the railways.
"We're honoured and thrilled that these three historic paintings, which allow visitors to explore the impact and legacy of the birth of modern railways, have been secured for this important celebration and will be displayed for the first time together in our state-of-the-art extension.
"Exhibiting nationally significant works of art like these is possible because the new Spence Building has been specifically designed to host national and touring exhibitions. We're proud that this iconic set of paintings will the one of the first exhibitions residents and visitors will be able to enjoy, without the cost of travelling far and wide to enjoy different cultural experiences."
Niccy Hallifax, S&DR200 Festival Director, said: "These three paintings form a powerful panoramic narrative of human movement, transformation, economic growth, innovation and opportunity during the rise of Britain's Railway Age.
"At the heart of the S&DR200 Festival is the idea that the railways did more than just connect towns and cities - they connected lives. This exhibition captures that spirit, reminding us how the Stockton & Darlington Railway sparked a revolution that shaped communities, industries, and the way we experience the world today."
Fiona Corridan, Content Lead at Manchester Art Gallery, said: "Manchester City Galleries is delighted to be lending William Powell Frith's Derby Day to this important exhibition. It's a work that captures the energy and complexity of Victorian society, making it a fitting contribution to another gallery that was established as a consequence of the growth of the Industrial Revolution.
"It's important for regional galleries to support each other and share collections, so that artworks can be seen in new contexts and create new points of connection. Collaborations like this celebrate our shared heritage and bring nationally significant art to new audiences."
All Aboard!, Corridors, Gateway to the World and then later Perfume make up the S&DR200 Tracks of Change series in Preston Park Museum.
The exhibitions are included in the admission price for the Museum.
The transformation of Preston Park is being funded after the Council secured £20million of funding for work in Yarm and Eaglescliffe from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The Tracks of Change exhibition series has been made possible thanks to funding secured through the S&DR200 Festival Programme in partnership with Darlington Borough Council, Durham County Council and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.
Major funders include Arts Council England, Tees Valley Combined Authority.
For more information about Preston Park visit the Preston Park Museum and Grounds website.
Royal Collection Trust is a charity caring for the Royal Collection and welcoming visitors to the royal palaces. We bring our shared history to life through world-class experiences that involve and inspire people, wherever they are. Income from tickets and retail sales helps us to conserve the Collection so that it can be enjoyed by everyone for generations to come.
The Royal Collection is one of the world's great art collections, held in trust by The King for his successors and the nation. With over a million objects, from paintings, drawings and books to sculpture, furniture and jewellery, it is a unique record of the tastes of British kings and queens over the past 500 years, with many items still used today for their original purpose. The Collection can be seen in palaces, museums and galleries across the UK and around the world, and can be explored on the Royal Collection Trust website.
