Rokeby: Poetry and Landscape; Walter Scott and Turner in Teesdale
Sat 26 Jan 13 - Sun 28 Apr 13

The Bowes Museum’s exhibition Rokeby: (Poetry & Landscape) Walter Scott & Turner in Teesdale, marks the bicentenary of the publication of Scott’s epic poem, Rokeby, a thrilling tale of star crossed lovers, ghosts and treasure, set against the backdrop of the English Civil War.

Exploring the relationship between literature and art, the exhibition - curated by the Museum’s Keeper of Fine Art, Emma House - examines the poem’s role in attracting artists such as Turner, Atkinson Grimshaw, and the Pre-Raphaelite Alfred William Hunt to the region, highlighting the importance of Teesdale in the development of landscape painting in Britain. It will include loans from the British Museum, Tate, and regional galleries as well as paintings from the Museum’s own collection.

Scott penned Rokeby following several visits to John Morritt’s country estate, Rokeby Park, having taken inspiration from the surrounding scenery. The Bowes Museum is situated a mile or so from the estate, at the centre of the landscape brought to life in the poem. Originally published in 1813, it placed Teesdale firmly on the tourist map as well as drawing a succession of artists to the region, including Turner, who later produced 20 views for Whitaker’s An History of Richmondshire, four of which relate to locations in the poem.

Scott’s publisher was later to commission Turner to illustrate newer editions of the poet’s work, stating that he could sell 8,000 copies with Turner’s illustrations as opposed to 3,000 without.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a catalogue and a full programme of events. Walking tours and newly published leaflets will encourage visitors to explore the region’s attractions and viewpoints in relation to the paintings and literature they inspired.

A further programme of painting, photography, textile and writing workshops will encourage participants to get their creative juices flowing and respond to the poem by producing their own works of art inspired by the landscape.

The Museum will also be working with Dora Frankel Dance, who will perform a newly choreographed piece – The Unfolding Sky: Turner in the North - exploring Turner’s landscape paintings. There will also be an opportunity to take part in a dance workshop.

The exhibition has been supported by funding from the Heart of Teesdale Landscape Partnership. Further support has come from the Museum Friends, who have assisted with the preparations. The Museum is also indebted to historian Michael Rudd for his work on the exhibition and supporting programme, and to Tony Seward for his contribution to the accompanying catalogue.

Programme of events

Walk – The River Greta & Brignall Banks

13 March, 1.00, £5.00
Join us for a walk exploring the landscape that inspired Walter Scott and J M W Turner, to complement the current Rokeby exhibition. Meet at the Morritt Arms, Greta Bridge. Booking required on 01833 690606. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing.

Walk – Barnard Castle & Egglestone Abbey
20 March, 1.00, £5.00
Join us for a walk exploring the landscape that inspired Walter Scott and J M W Turner, to complement the current Rokeby exhibition. Meet at The Bowes Museum. Booking required on 01833 690606. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing.

Workshop – Landscape Photography for Beginners
21 & 22 March, 10.00 – 2.00, £25.00 (inc lunch)
Learn the basics of composition, working with natural light & exploring manual setting on these two one-day courses which complement the current Rokeby exhibition. Call 01833 690606 for further details and bookings.

Workshop – Simple Bookbinding
22 March, 10.00 – 4.00, £30.00 (inc lunch & refreshments)
Using simple bookbinding techniques including gluing, folding & stapling, participants will create four/five mini books. Further information and bookings to 01833 690606.

Walk – Rokeby Park & the Meeting of the Waters
27 March, 1.00, £5.00
Join us for a walk exploring the landscape that inspired Walter Scott and J M W Turner, to complement the current Rokeby exhibition. Meet at the Morritt Arms, Greta Bridge. Booking required on 01833 690606. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing.

Meet the Choreographer
27 March, 2.30
Join choreographer Dora Frankel for a discussion of her personal response to Turner’s paintings and her approach as a choreographer. An extract of The Unfolding Sky will be performed, followed by a Q&A session. To complement the current Rokeby: Poetry & Landscape; Walter Scott & Turner in Teesdale

A Romantic Musical Evening
30 March, 7.00, £10.00 Adults, £8.00 Friends of The Bowes Museum
Join John Treherne & Margarette Ashton of Concert Royal, with harpist Louise Bradley, for an evening of songs & readings from Rokeby & other works by Walter Scott, that are sure to delight. To complement to current Rokeby exhibition. Booking required on 01833 690606

Gallery Talk – Rokeby Exhibition
2 & 16 April, 2.30
Join a curator in the gallery for a tour of this fascinating exhibition.

Walter Scott’s Rokeby
3 April, 11.00
Join Prof Fiona Robertson for this lecture exploring Walter Scott’s Rokeby. Booking required on 01833 690606.

Walk – The River Greta & Brignall Banks
3 April, 1.00, £5.00
Join us for a walk exploring the landscape that inspired Walter Scott and J M W Turner, to complement the current Rokeby exhibition. Meet at the Morritt Arms, Greta Bridge. Booking required on 01833 690606. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing.

Walk – Barnard Castle & Egglestone Abbey
14 April, 1.00, £5.00
Join us for a walk exploring the landscape that inspired Walter Scott and J M W Turner, to complement the current Rokeby exhibition. Meet at The Bowes Museum. Booking required on 01833 690606. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing.

Family Fun Day - Love Your Local Landscape
14 April, 10.30 - 3.00
Be inspired by the Rokeby exhibition to try a variety of landscape themed activities before exploring the grounds of the Museum with our new nature trail. Children must be accompanied by an adult, for whom normal admission applies.

Walk – Rokeby Park & the Meeting of the Waters
24 April, 1.00, £5.00
Join us for a walk exploring the landscape that inspired Walter Scott and J M W Turner, to complement the current Rokeby exhibition. Meet at the Morritt Arms, Greta Bridge. Booking required on 01833 690606. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing.

The Unfolding Sky – Turner in the North
14 June, 7.00
Three dancers, accompanied by an original music score, in a vibrant reimagining of some of the most radical depictions of the North East’s countryside captured on canvas by artist J M W Turner. The Unfolding Sky is a collaboration between choreographer Dora Frankel & composer Peter Coyte. Part of the Festival of the North East. No booking required.