Narrative Art was the reality television of the Victorian era. While the artistic elite rejected it, the public loved it. Accessible and sensational it transported viewers into the scenes shown and let them identify with the characters depicted.
This art tells us much about the Victorian Age, what people feared and desired, their dark secrets and prejudices as well as their hopes and dreams. ‘Telling Tales’ explores Victorian attitudes to life and death, love and loss, animals and childhood, war and empire and the struggles of women in a man's world.
Guest curated by author and art historian Kirsty Stonell Walker, this exhibition is a collaboration with Southampton City Art Gallery, featuring masterpieces from both collections.
The Captain's Daughter (The Last Evening) 1873
James Tissot (1836–1902)
Oil on canvas
H 72.4 x W 104.8 cm
Southampton City Art Gallery
Tea in the Conservatory (Near Neighbours) 1892
Henry 'Harry' Edward John Browne (1859–1917)
Oil on canvas
H 92 x W 122.5 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Abraham Solomon (1823–1862)
Oil on canvas
H 54.5 x W 76.3 cm
Southampton City Art Gallery
First Class, the Meeting 1856 or later
Abraham Solomon (1823–1862)
Oil on canvas
H 54.5 x W 76.3 cm
Southampton City Art Gallery
Love Locked Out 1890–1910
Henry Justice Ford (1860–1941)
Oil on canvas
H 109 x W 58 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Tick-Tick 1881
Briton Riviere (1840–1920)
Oil on canvas
H 36.5 x W 48 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Her First Love 1885
George Sheridan Knowles (1863–1931)
Oil on canvas
H 81.5 x W 62.5 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Always Welcome 1887
Laura Theresa Epps Alma-Tadema (1852–1909)
Oil on canvas
H 37 x W 54 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
The Scrap Book 1889
Frank Dadd (1851–1929)
Oil on canvas
H 60 x W 50 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Allan Stewart (1865–1951)
Oil on canvas
H 141 x W 222.5 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
The King's Drum Shall Never Be Beaten for Rebels, 1798 1892
George William Joy (1844–1925)
Oil on canvas
H 116 x W 152.2 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Penance 1889
William John Hennessy (1839–1917)
Oil on canvas
H 221 x W 143.2 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Judith 1887
Charles Landelle (1821–1908)
Oil on canvas
H 138 x W 99.5 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Explore artists in this Curation
View all 12-
Abraham Solomon (1823–1862) -
George Sheridan Knowles (1863–1931) -
Briton Riviere (1840–1920) -
Frank Dadd (1851–1929) -
William John Hennessy (1839–1917) -
George William Joy (1844–1925) -
Henry 'Harry' Edward John Browne (1859–1917) -
Charles Landelle (1821–1908) -
Laura Theresa Epps Alma-Tadema (1852–1909) -
Henry Justice Ford (1860–1941) - View all 12