UK Gallery to Recreate “Groundbreaking” 1907 Exhibition

Over a century after the original exhibition, Wolverhampton Art Gallery is recreating what it calls a “groundbreaking” and “incredibly rare” solo show by a pioneering female artist of the late Victorian era. Painted Dreams: Evelyn De Morgan will showcase thirty paintings, drawings, and sketches by the titular artist, whose richly-colored work explores feminism, spiritualism, and other enduring themes. The exhibition, which will be free to the public, opens on Saturday, October 19.

At the turn of the century in Victorian-era Britain, it was nearly unheard of for a woman artist to hold a solo exhibition. The innovative and tenacious painter Evelyn De Morgan (1855-1919), however, defied expectations at every turn of her successful career. In 1907, De Morgan was invited to hold a solo exhibition in Wolverhampton. It was the largest and most comprehensive show of her entire career. Despite deep-seated misogyny in the art world and the gallery’s far-flung location, De Morgan’s show was met with praise. One reviewer wrote that De Morgan’s work had “the faces of our dreams” and specifically complimented her “gift of color.”

117 years later, Wolverhampton Art Gallery presents Painted Dreams: Evelyn De Morgan. The exhibition aims to recreate De Morgan’s 1907 solo show as authentically as possible. Curators looked to surviving correspondence between De Morgan and the gallery’s director at the time, along with the original exhibition catalog and published reviews. The recreated exhibition will feature oil paintings, a plaster cast sculpture, sketches, and drawings by De Morgan. Additionally, local artist Paul Francis-Walker recreated three works by De Morgan that were lost in a fire: Victoria Dolorosa, Mercy and Truth, and Spear of Ithuriel.

“De Morgan’s Work Resonates Deeply with Contemporary Issues”

Through mythology and allegory, Evelyn De Morgan’s work colorfully and creatively explores some of the most pressing issues of the late Victorian era, from women’s suffrage to war. Painted Dreams: Evelyn De Morgan demonstrates the enduring influence of the artist’s work and its seemingly timeless themes. “De Morgan’s work resonates deeply with contemporary issues, making this exhibition a must-see for art lovers and history enthusiasts alike,” said Chris Burden, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs, and Skills.

“We are delighted to bring back this exhibition to Wolverhampton just over a century after its premiere in the city,” said Jean McMeakin, Chair of the De Morgan Trustee Board. “The exhibition not only illuminates her talent, her inspirations and her influences, but in so doing, her inner thoughts, social and ethical values are also revealed. It is a great opportunity to get to know De Morgan and her world.”

Painted Dreams: Evelyn De Morgan offers an in-depth look at the artist’s fascinating creative development, from her love of Botticelli to her practice of spiritualism. It features a rare roundup of De Morgan’s most impressive and influential paintings in a unique historical context. The exhibition is open from October 19, 2024 to March 9, 2025 at Wolverhampton Art Gallery in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.