OUT & ABOUT
Bringing history to life
The moment when a world-famous ballerina danced for the King of England in the palatial setting of Wentworth Woodhouse is being vividly re-imagined more than a century after the event.
Barnsley artist Shaun Rowley is painting a picture of Anna Pavlova’s performance for King George V during his stay at Wentworth Woodhouse in 1912 after recreating the scenario in the mansion’s Marble Saloon where the actual event took place. With the willing co-operation of his friend and dance teacher Fay Cordelia Lowe, who needed no persuasion to don her tutu and ballet pumps to re-enact the historic happening, Shaun’s finished work will form part of an exhibition at the country house which is being staged to coincide with it opening to the public for five days a week from April. With the help of Wentworth
Woodhouse staff and volunteers, Shaun was able to set up the scene with Fay and then sketch and take photographs in preparation for his acrylic painting.
Drawing on his twin passions of art and social history, Shaun wanted to create an original piece of work for the exhibition and has not seen any images of the Russian prima ballerina’s royal performance. “I knew about it because I’m extremely interested in social history and it’s a fascinating story. We didn’t know what music was originally used but we chose the Dying Swan from Swan Lake
because Anna Pavlova was very famous for it at the time,” he explained. “I feel very lucky to be in this position and appreciate the support of everyone at Wentworth Woodhouse.” Shaun, who owns Barnsley’s Newburgh Gallery, will exhibit his work alongside other local artists and fellow history lovers who are all members of The Collectiv, a group set up just over a year ago to produce and promote art that reflects their interest in local heritage.
The bespoke exhibition for
Wentworth Woodhouse, which is a first for The Collectiv, is inspired by the house and its history and the surrounding area and countryside. It will be held in the Gun Room, an accessible space close to the new gift shop and refurbished tearooms making it an ideal showcase for both the group’s eclectic mix of styles and the house itself. The exhibition starts on
Saturday, April 20th following an invitation only launch on the evening of Thursday, April 18th and will run until early June.
For further information, visit the Facebook page of Newburgh Gallery or contact Wentworth Woodhouse on 01226 351161.
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