The Legend of King Arthur: A Pre-Raphaelite Love Story
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Visitors across the country have been flocking to our magnificent touring exhibition and this summer, it is coming to Falmouth for a spectacular finale.
The exhibition tells the story for the first time of the links between the world-famous legend of King Arthur, the renowned Pre-Raphaelite artists and Cornwall’s Arthurian heritage.
It brings together over 60 iconic works of art from public and private collections and is an exclusive opportunity to see the entire Lady of Shalott series of paintings by John William Waterhouse exhibited together for the first time in the UK.
“A swoon of a show” The Times
Curated by Natalie Rigby, the incredible line-up of Pre-Raphaelite artists includes Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale, Edward Burne-Jones, William Holman Hunt, John Everett Millais, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Emma Sandys and Elizabeth Siddal.
The exhibition will be accompanied by activities, talks and workshops for all ages.
17 June – 30 September 2023
Oil paint on canvas, 153 × 200 cm, Tate
Presented by Sir Henry Tate 1894
Opens June 17
Free Entry
Monday – Saturday
10am – 5pm
Exhibition Talk
Seeking King Arthur’s Country – Myth & Reality
The talk will cover the archaeology and history of places in the Cornish landscape connected with King Arthur, King Mark, Tristan and Iseult.
by Jacky Nowakowski FSA Archaeologist and Director of Tintagel Castle excavations (2016-17)
June 22 3.30pm at Falmouth Art Gallery
£5.50
Family Workshops
10 – 1pm
May
| Tu 30 | Fun with circles | Come and make your own colourful spinner, have a go at spun art plus more circular creations using stencils |
| We 31 | Wonky Weaving | Use wool, fabric and paper to make a little wall hanging |
June
| Th 1 | Dream Worlds | Inspired by the work in Unfamilliar Terriorty and the artist Luciana Novo. We will be making dream landscapes in collage and paint. |
| Sa 3 | Neon Landscapes | Create a vibrant neon otherworldly landscape inspired by the photographs in the unfamiliar territories exhibition |
| Sa 24 | Ornate picture frames | Make a decorative, golden picture frame |
July
| Sa 1 | Roll characters | Making the legend characters using cardboard rolls and other materials |
| Sa 8 | Chainmail Making | |
| Sa 15 | Collage castle | Castle geometrical shape collage |
| Sa 22 | Cardboard Castles | Make a miniature castle for your play figures |
| Sa 29 | Arthurian costumes for your toys | Bring along a favourite toy and make your own crowns, capes, tiaras, gowns, dresses and swords to dress them up as a character from Arthurian legend. |
Falmouth Week (August)
| Sa 5 | King Arthur carnival | 3-5pm: Make your own shiny knights helmet from card, foil and other materials and join us in the parade through Falmouth |
| Mo 7 | Romantic Patterns | Inspired by the PRB love of nature and the work of William Morris we will be block printing beautiful fabric |
| Tu 8 | Design a coat of arms | Design and make a coat of arms unique to you! with pens and collaged paper (scissors, card, coloured paper, pens, pencils) |
| We 9 | Clay charms | using air drying clay make your own magic charm. |
| Th 10 | Flower garlands | Make a special summer headdress out of paper and card |
| Fr 11 | Brass Rubbings | Make your own brass rubbing inspired by the Medieval knights. |
August
| We 16 | Ornate initial design | |
| We 23 | Nature patterned paper | Design a wallpaper sample, inspired by William Morris using paper, pencil, paint |
| We 30 | Trusty steed! | Decorate and make a trusty steed complete with fluffy mane and tail (scissors, card, split pins, fluffy material, wool, pencils, glue) |
September
| Sa 2 | Painting recreations | Recreate a Pre-Raphaelites painting scene using props for a photo shoot and frame it! |
| Sa 9 | Design your own wallpaper | Inspired by William Morris design your own pattern and then repeat the pattern using wax rubbing. |
| Sa 16 | Miniature Angels | Make a miniature angel inspired by the paintings. Card, paper, fabric, (possibly dolly pegs?) |
| Sa 23 | Reflections | Inspired by the story of the Lady of Shallot we will be playing with mirrors and reflections and shadows to make pictures. |
| Sa 30 | Stained glass beast | Create a 5th/6th century inspired stained glass beast scene (scissors, tracing paper, tissue paper, pens, acetate, black markers) |
Free Digital Guide
Download our free digital guide on Bloomberg Connects. Audio guides and additional information about artwork in exhibitions and within our store rooms.
Find the app in your app store or scan the QR code.
About Falmouth Art Gallery
Award-winning Falmouth Art Gallery is owned and administered by Falmouth Town Council. Family-friendly and free, the gallery stages an exciting and ambitious exhibition programme, regularly changing displays from its outstanding art collection and an innovative community engagement programme.
T: 01326 313 863 | Municipal Buildings, The Moor, Falmouth TR11 2RT