Damasks 1600–1850 : Woven Silks and Wools from the Warner and Ginsburg Collections
20th November 2007 – 13th April 2008
A damask is a woven fabric whose main characteristic is that it is reversible. The first damasks were probably woven in China. It is believed that damasks came to Western
Europe in the Middle–Ages from Damascus, Syria, giving the textile its name. From the 1300s they were woven in the West, and became luxury items that were traded throughout
Europe. Damasks in silk, wool, cotton and linen were popular for both clothing and the home. This exhibition brings together an array of damasks and damask objects. It looks
at both the evolutions and revolutions in damask design and their use with in the country house. All in all, the exhibition celebrates the variety, versatility and
beauty of Damasks.
Yorkshire in the 1850s
16 October 2006 – 5 March 2007
Leeds Museums and Galleries recently acquired a remarkable collection of nearly 60 photographs dating from the 1850s
taken by a young photographer, J.W. Oxley, who later became a celebrated collector. This is the first time these views
of beauty spots in Yorkshire have ever been exhibited.
Dorothy Una Radcliffe Fan Display
7th November 2006 – March 2007
A group of 18th and 19th century fans collected by the writer Dorothy Una Radcliffe will be part of the new displays at
Temple Newsam devoted to 'Four Yorkshire Collectors'. Items from her frequent gifts to Leeds Art Galleries in the 1960s
which will also be shown include miniatures, and English porcelain. The other collectors represented will be Thomas Hollings,
the woollen manufacturer from Calverley, whose collection of Leeds Pottery forms the core of the world-famous group at Temple
Newsam; James Walker Oxley, the Leeds banker whose unusual collection of Continental silver is a highlight of the precious metal
displays; and Frank Fulford, the manufacturer of 'bile beans' whose fortune was spent in collecting Chinese jades, French snuff
boxes and Sheraton furniture.
The Year of the Yorkshire Portrait : Portraits at Temple Newsam
1st April 2006 to 31st March 2007
From April, historic houses across Leeds will be celebrating The Year of the Yorkshire Portrait. As part of
this project, Temple Newsam will be highlighting some of the portraits within its fabulous fine art collections.
Focusing on a different portrait each month, the stories behind the paintings will be unveiled.
Portrait of a Child with a Rattle
attributed to Paul van Somer, oil on panel, 1611
Study Exhibition :
Material Pleasures: French Printed Textiles
17th and 18th century needlework from the permanent collections
1st March to 2nd October 2006
An exciting opportunity to explore a newly-acquired collection of late 18th and early 19th century French printed
textiles, including fabrics produced at the famous Jouy-en-Josas factory near Versailles.
Left: L'art d'aimer (The Art of Love), Nantes, c. 1785-90
Right: Pallas et Venus (Pallas and Venus), Jouy-en-Josas, c 1806
Restoration! The Rebirth of a House
A behind-the-surface look at the restoration of Temple Newsam.
27 May - end of December 2005
Converted into a temporary Art Gallery during the second world war, Temple Newsam lost much of its historic
decoration in the process. This exhibition examines how the house has been restored inside and out, since 1983,
to recapture its appearance when privately owned. Using evocative historic photographs and other fascinating
material, it demonstrates how - with the necessary skills - rooms can be restored accurately; and, in certain
cases, how much they gain from the return of much of their historic contents. Some of the intriguing discoveries
made under the floorboards and elsewhere in the house will also be displayed for the first time. No-one with an
interest in historic buildings can afford to miss this show.
The Boudoir during restoration
Study Exhibition :
The Embroiderer's Art
17th and 18th century needlework from the permanent collections
21 March - 30 September 2005
Featuring highlights from the Temple Newsam and Lotherton Hall embroidery collections, this study exhibition
celebrates the works of art produced by embroiderers of the 17th and 18th centuries from minutely detailed
pictorial raised work and vibrant floral needlepoint to richly decorated embroidered bags, cuffs and stomachers.
Also showcased for the first time are newly acquired textiles from the private collections of Miss Joan Hurst and
Mr Henry Ginsburg including an extraordinary 17th century silkwork cushion depicting the Story of Esther and
several finely worked early samplers.
From L to R : Embroidered Bag, 17th century; Silkwork Cushion, 17th century; Silkwork and Metal Threadwork Stomacher, first half of 18th century
Saving Your Heritage: Acquisitions for Temple Newsam 1995 - 2005
1 June to 2nd October 2005
The exhibition celebrates ten years of outstanding acquisitions of works of art: paintings, furniture, silver,
ceramics, and textiles, all of which continue to enrich the collections of this great country house art museum.
Many of these are 'repatriations' of works of art which left the house when it was sold to Leeds Corporation in
1922 but which are now slowly making their way back to their original home. The objects have been acquired by
purchase, gift, and bequest, often with the aid of the Heritage Lottery Fund and charitable bodies such as the
National Art Collections Fund. The exhibition takes the form of a trail around the house guided by an illustrated
leaflet.
Lacquer Secretaire, commissioned for the Blue Drawing Room, Temple Newsam c. 1830
Study Exhibition :
The Leeds Pottery 1770 - 1881
1 June to 30th October 2005
The exhibition has been organised to launch the new definitive book on the Leeds Pottery by John Griffin and
consists of a selection of Temple Newsam's large and outstanding collection made by the author. It includes
examples of the celebrated creamware and pearlware, as well as basalt ware, drab ware and even porcelain. Further
extensive displays of delftware, earthenware, English and Oriental porcelain are on display throughout
the house.
Figure of a Horse, Pearlware
Current Exhibitions
