The Nature of Gothic is a landmark show which celebrates how artists across centuries, disciplines, and faiths have all drawn inspiration from the natural world.
At the heart of the free exhibition, which opens on Saturday and will run until Saturday, December 13, are treasures from Blackburn’s internationally significant Hart Collection – bequeathed by local rope maker, industrialist and collector Edward Hart.
For this exhibition, these extraordinary pieces will sit alongside works of equal importance on loan from world-renowned institutions including the British Library, Manchester Art Gallery, and Cambridge University Library.
They include:
illuminated manuscripts ranging from the Bedford Psalter and Hours to Islamic devotional texts;
pre-Raphaelite masterpieces, including Rossetti’s Astarte Syriaca and Burne-Jones’ Sleeping Beauty;
rare bindings and early printed books, including a copy of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam with calligraphy by William Morris; and
decorative ceramics and textiles, including from the De Morgan Foundation, Tullie House, and Gawthorpe Textiles Collection.
It is co-curated by Dr Cynthia Johnston from the University of London and Anthea Purkis from Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery.
The exhibition repositions Blackburn’s collections within a national story of creativity, collecting and cross-cultural exchange.
Dr Johnston said: “Thanks to industrialists like Edward Hart, who saw the importance of collecting items from across the globe and leaving them for the benefit of the town, we can now explore the shared cultural theme of Gothic decorative art through books, paintings, textiles and ceramics.
“Blackburn’s collection is astonishing in scope and quality.”
The exhibition also features two new artist commissions, which will become permanent additions to the museum’s collection.
One is by Jamie Holman, who, working with artists in Islamabad, has created a piece inspired by the Tregaskis bindings on loan from the University of Manchester’s John Rylands Library,
The second by Nehal Aamir is a new series of ceramic standing frames exploring the passage of time through natural light.
Ms Purkis said: “The Nature of Gothic is a powerful example of what happens when a local museum thinks nationally and curates with real ambition.
“It’s about weaving Blackburn with Darwen’s story into a much larger cultural fabric.”
Cllr Quesir Mahmood, deputy leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and chair of the museum board, said: “This show offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see rare works of art and literature right here in Blackburn.
“And, just as it was more than 150 years ago when its doors first opened, the museum remains free to enjoy. This exhibition is not to be missed.”
It is funded by the Brian Mercer Trust and delivered as part of the Museum’s National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status with Arts Council England.
Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 4.45pm.