Orientalist Works of Art Exhibition

In collaboration with Touchstone Rochdale Museums, Darnley Fine Art is delighted to announce a comprehensive exhibition of Orientalist works of art. This 19th century artistic movement sought to bring images of Middle Eastern and North African culture to European metropoles, resulting in artistic representations that are prized for their vibrant colour, extravagant sensuosity and luxurious scenes.

This exhibition seeks to contextualise these 19th century masterpieces as visual record - not only of Middle Eastern and North African culture, but as a reflection of the European societies that consumed such paintings. With works from English, French, Italian and Austrian schools of Orientalism, this expansive exhibition will display the range of subject matters and lenses through which Europe was introduced to the Middle East - from imagined and highly exoticised scenes, to diligent and faithful representations of Middle Eastern and Islamic life.

With works from the gallery collection bolstered by loans from Touchstone Rochdale Museums, this exhibition promises to be a comprehensive look at one of the most culturally important artistic movements. This exhibition seeks to reframe these artworks as something with the power to unite us all, regardless of differences in culture.