Victoria Art Gallery

Join us for a special behind-the-scenes tour of our art stores as part of Heritage Open Days! 🖼️✨

Discover where we keep our treasured paintings, drawings, and sculptures when they're not on display. Explore hidden gems from our permanent collection and learn how we preserve these pieces of history. Don’t miss this unique chance to see what’s stored behind closed doors!

Tours are one hour long, starting at 12pm on the following dates:
Thursday 12th September
Saturday 14th September

True or False? Did you spot the answer to last week's question about Sarah Bernhardt? She did indeed appear at Bath’s Theatre Royal in the role of a one-legged soldier !

This week's 'vrai ou faux' asks:
❓Did singer Yvette Guilbert invent rap ?

Take a look at the posters of Yvette Guilbert and many more celebrities of Montmartre in our soon-to-finish exhibition 'Toulouse-Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre'.

Image: IBELS Henri-Gabriel, Yvette Guilbert, 1894
Photo © Musée d'Ixelles-Bruxelles / Courtesy of Institut für Kulturaustausch, Tübingen

We've got lots on at Victoria Art Gallery this week:

👉Toddler Thursdays is running on the 12th: free story time, just drop in 10.30-11am
👉FREE Art Store Tours as part of Heritage Open Days today (Tuesday 10th); Thursday 12th & Saturday 14th. Booking essential.
👉Lunchtime Exhibition Tours, every Thursday from 1.30-2pm.

This poster by the female artist, Clémentine-Hélène Dufau, is advertising La Fronde, a ground-breaking feminist newspaper in France. First published in 1897 by an all-women team, it began life as a daily paper before becoming monthly in 1903. La Fronde closed two years later in 1905.

Dufau (1869-1937) studied at the Académie Julian and later became a member of Société des Artistes Français.

La Fronde is currently on display in our exhibition Toulouse-Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre, but only until 29 September. Catch it while you can before it closes and transfers to a permanent home in Brussels.

Image: DUFAU Clémentine Hélène, La Fronde, 1898
Photo © Musée d'Ixelles-Bruxelles / Courtesy of Institut für Kulturaustausch, Tübingen

Today's Online Art Exchange celebrates 80 years of Harris Preston's Pauline in the Yellow Dress by Herbert James Gunn. We are sharing this image: Black Group on Yellow by William Gear, 1958.

Step back in time with this evening (4th September) at 7.30pm and explore the fascinating history of one of Bath’s most iconic landmarks – PulteneyBridge.

Did you know that Pulteney Bridge, now a symbol of Georgian elegance with its unique row of shops on both sides, didn’t start out this way? How did it transform into the architectural marvel we see today?
Join Dr Michael Rowe Chair of the Friends of Victoria Art Gallery, and Paul Jackson as they uncover the intriguing and often surprising journey of Pulteney Bridge over the past 250 years.

Tickets from website https://www.brlsi.org/whatson/mr-pulteneys-bridge-the-first-250-years/

Painting of Pulteney Bridge by William Noble Hardwick, 1825

True or False? Bohemian Montmartre was home to a cast of characters and we've been unearthing some unbelievable truths about some of those whose works are on display in our exhibition 'Toulouse-Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre'

❓Aged 72, Sarah Bernhardt, icon of French theatre, appeared at Bath’s Theatre Royal in the role of a one-legged soldier. Is this Vrai ou Faux?

[Image: MUCHA Alfons, Lorenzaccio, 1896. Photo © Musée d'Ixelles-Bruxelles / Courtesy of Institut für Kulturaustausch, Tübingen]

Toddler Thursdays is back this week!
Bring your little ones along for a free visit to the Gallery with story-time, dressing-up, and trails. The free sessions take place from 10.30am - 11.00am every Thursday during term time. No need to book, just drop in!

Toddler Thursdays View the artwork of Toulouse Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre and let your little ones enjoy pictures and books, as our storytellers bring the magic of stories to life. There are colourful trails and dressing up to explore the exhibition with afterwards.The free sessions take place from 10.30am...

Don't miss your chance to immerse yourself in the world of 19th-century Paris. Our exhibition 'Toulouse Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre' is only in the UK for one more month before it moves to its permanent home in Brussels. Experience more than 100 original posters from Bohemian Montmartre before it's too late!

[Image: TOULOUSE-LAUTREC Henri de, Le Salon des Cent ou La Passagère du 54 ou Promenade en yacht, 1896 Photo © Musée d'Ixelles-Bruxelles / Courtesy of Institut für Kulturaustausch, Tübingen]

Explore behind the scenes on Heritage Open Days 🔎

Enjoy a behind the scenes tour of our art stores as part of the Heritage Open Days event - where paintings, drawings and sculptures from our permanent collection are stored when not on display.

For more information please see our website:
https://www.victoriagal.org.uk/event/heritage-open-days-0

Free School Visit scheme launched at the Roman Baths and Victoria Art Gallery 🎒

More school children will be able to visit the Roman Baths and Victoria Art Gallery for free thanks to a new Free School Visits scheme launched by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
Free visits and learning sessions will be available to state-funded primary and secondary schools across the UK where 30% or more of pupils receive free school meals.

Alongside the new UK wide Free School Visits scheme, all school groups in Bath & North East Somerset already enjoy free entry to both the Roman Baths and Victoria Art Gallery, with no additional eligibility criteria.

For booking and more information please see:
https://www.romanbaths.co.uk/schools
https://www.victoriagal.org.uk/schools

Today's theme for Online Art Exchange is Still life for 'The Shape of Things: Still Life in Britain' on display at Pallant House Gallery, Chichester.

We are sharing this image of Jane Urquhart's, 'A Box of Saints', 1967, oil on canvas

This still life merges the sacred and profane by placing two dolls in beatific poses within a shabby box. The background is filled with mundane items from the artist’s studio, such as a wicker basket and paint brush. The doll saints are ragged and disfigured, yet their devout expressions and the precise way they are painted create an incredible intensity in the picture.

Today is the last chance to submit artwork to Bath Society of Artists for their annual Open Exhibition, on display from 13 October at Victoria Art Gallery. Deadline is 5pm today (Wednesday)
[Image from 2019 Open Exhibition]

All eyes are on Paris this week as we return for the Paralympics Games 🇫🇷

To experience the French capital closer to home why not explore 1890s Montmartre at our exhibition, 'Toulouse-Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre'

Featuring artwork by Lautrec, Cheret, Steinlein and more it's a chance to see the original publicity posters for Parisian landmarks such as the Moulin Rouge.

CHERET Jules Paris Cancan - Moulin Rouge, 1890
Photo © Musée d'Ixelles-Bruxelles / Courtesy of Institut für Kulturaustausch, Tübingen

We were so lucky to have two work placement students from Bath Spa University and University of Bristol spend a week with us at the gallery! They got hands-on experience with our Collections, Community Engagement, and Front of House teams, learning all about how we care for our collections and engage with the public.

We also asked them to write about a couple of recent acquisitions and here's what Amelie said about
'Pink Crucifixion' by Craigie Aitchison.

"This bold print is the ‘Pink Crucifixion’ by Craigie Aitchison, 2004, a carborundum etching depicting the dying Christ on a bubble-gum pink background. Aitchison was fascinated by the crucifixion scene after seeing Salvador Dali’s striking painting of the crucifix in Glasgow in 1951. Those with a keen eye will also spot the faint outline of his beloved Bedlington terrier hidden at the foot of the cross, as he decided to remove it from the image."

Image credit: Craigie Aitchison, Pink Crucifixion, carborundum etching, 2004. A gift from Mark Golder and Brian Thompson in 2024.

We had a fantastic week hosting work placement students from Bath Spa University and University of Bristol at the gallery! They got hands-on experience with our teams and even shared their thoughts on a new acquisition.

Here's what Zach said about the etching, 'Do you know how to make that sound?’ by Jessica St James:

"This arresting etching is as enigmatic (and eerie) as its title: ‘Do you know how to make that sound?’ Produced in 2020 by Jessica St James, this piece depicts St. Bride’s Church on Fleet Street, London. It is enveloped in a surprising and all-encompassing gloom amidst which only the church’s entrance and a colonnaded aisle are visible. These are illuminated by ethereal wisps, interpreted by some as restless spirits, by others as luminous jellyfish wandering the remains of a church lost to a watery abyss."

Image credit: Jessica St James, Do you know how to make that sound?, etching, 2020. A gift from Mark Golder and Brian Thompson in 2024.

Just a reminder that we will be open on Bank Holiday Monday (26th August) when you can explore our blockbuster exhibition: 'Toulouse-Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre'. Featuring 100 original posters from 1890s bohemian Paris - and the only chance to see in the UK - why not add this to your Bank Holiday itinerary?

TOULOUSE-LAUTREC Henri de Eldorado: Aristide Bruant, 1892
Photo © Musée d'Ixelles-Bruxelles / Courtesy of Institut für Kulturaustausch, Tübingen

🎨 Calling all artists! With just one week left, don't miss your chance to submit to the Bath Society of Artists Annual Exhibition. With a total prize fund of £6000 this is a great opportunity for artists locally and further afield to be a part of this prestigious event. See Bath Society of Artist's website for more

Bath Society of Artists

We're open next Monday for the Bank Holiday, so you have an extra day to immerse yourself in the art of Toulouse Lautrec and his contemporaries!
Original posters and artwork by Lautrec, Mucha, Steinlein, Cheret and more are on display in our exhibition, 'Toulouse-Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre'.
This is the only chance to see this collection in the UK - exhibition finishes on 29 September.

Join us for the last week of our FREE summer family activities. Make a colourful headdress fit for a singer at the Moulin Rouge! Tuesday to Friday, 10.30am to 2pm. No need to book, just drop by on the day. https://ow.ly/BHHc50T1MxR

The Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition finishes today, but in less than two months you can explore works from Bath and regional-based artists at Bath Society of Artists' Annual Exhibition here at Victoria Art Gallery. Opening 13 October.

Join us at Victoria Art Gallery tomorrow and next week for our free craft sessions:

🎩Top Hats, Monocles and Moustachios
until Friday 16 August

🐦Feathery Fun
Tuesday 20 — Friday 23 August

All events run from 10.30am - 2pm. No need to book, just drop by on the day!

Summer Holiday Crafts Join us throughout the summer holidays for free hands-on craft activities inspired by our fabulous exhibition Toulouse-Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre.

🎨 Save the date!
Two months today (13th October) the annual Bath Society of Artists' Exhibition opens here at Victoria Art Gallery.
Don't miss out on this highlight of the artistic calendar, featuring the best of the region’s artistic talent.
The exhibition runs until 11 January 2025. For submissions (until 28 August) see Bath Society of Artists website.

Bath Society of Artists 119th Annual Open Exhibition The Bath Society of Artists Annual Open Exhibition has long been a highlight of Bath’s cultural calendar, bringing a vast array of artistic talent to the Victoria Art Gallery each year. You can browse and buy from a selection of fabulous paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture and mixed media works...

We're celebrating the end of the Paris Olympics with this joyful poster created by Jules Chéret in 1894 as part of the festivities for Paris's annual carnival.
If you would like to explore Paris by posters our exhibition 'Toulouse-Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre' is on until 29 September.
Now we can't wait for the Paralympics Games to start on the 28th ☺️

Image: CHERET Jules Redoute des Etudiants, 1894
Photo © Musée d'Ixelles-Bruxelles / Courtesy of Institut für Kulturaustausch, Tübingen

Thank you to Art UK for featuring our own exhibition 'Toulouse-Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre' in today's Online Art Exchange. The theme is - rather timely - Paris, France and French art 🇫🇷

We're showcasing this poster by Toulouse-Lautrec himself: La Chaîne Simpson (lithograph, 1896).

It is hard to imagine now, but the modern bicycle with a chain was a relatively new invention in Toulouse-Lautrec’s day, overtaking the cumbersome penny-farthing. This poster advertises a company that produced bicycle chains.

Toulouse-Lautrec enjoyed visiting velodromes to see the spectacle of bicycle races. He would have relished being in the stands at the Olympics in Paris today 🚲

Photo © Musée d'Ixelles-Bruxelles / Courtesy of Institut für Kulturaustausch, Tübingen

Lots of colourful windmills are taking shape at the Gallery this morning! Come and join our free family activity, making windmills inspired by the Moulin Rouge. Tuesday to Friday, 10.30am-2pm. https://ow.ly/Y1Rn50SRVx8

Today we're taking part in Art UK's with the theme of plants to celebrate 'Hidden Lives of Plants: Botanical Illustrations from the V&A' The Barber Institute of Fine Arts

James Tower, Tree Form, c. 1965, white earthenware

This organic abstracted form of square branches and conical foliage could be a tree or even a copse of trees, standing alone but bursting with life. It is made from unglazed white clay which also brings to mind mushrooms sprouting from the forest floor, upending your sense of scale.

James Tower taught ceramics at the Bath Academy of Art and is known for his vast vases decorated with abstract patterns inspired by nature.

🌞 The sun's shining bright here in Bath! ☀️ If you're looking for an escape from rising temperatures join us in our beautifully cool gallery.

Enjoy a refreshing break and immerse yourself in the enchanting art of bohemian Paris - the perfect summer combo!🎨✨

We had lots of fun at our family activities last week. Join us this week to make cool Plasticine cats for our rooftop Parisian scene. Tuesday to Friday, 10.30am - 2pm. No need to book, just drop by on the day!