Born in Dublin in 1857, Stanhope Forbes studied in both London and Paris, but it was the villages and towns of England that captured his imagination. Forbes hunted out traditional life to record in paint, as well as documenting the growing rail network that linked these previously remote communities. Although his work is often described as social realism, this exhibition will discuss how Forbes’ works were not necessarily documentary recreations of the world around him, but a document of Forbes’ own ideals about the British landscape and its people in a time of great social and technological change.

Stanhope Forbes’ England will feature Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum’s visitor favourite Chadding on Mounts Bay which was first exhibited in Worcester in 1902 as part of a group exhibition after which the curators of the day made the astute decision to purchase the painting directly from Forbes. The painting now spends much of its time touring in international exhibitions and will make a welcome return for this exhibition.

Philippa Tinsley, Senior Curator Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum said: “Chadding on Mount’s Bay is considered Stanhope Forbes’ greatest work and is a jewel in Worcester’s collection. This exhibition brings together a fascinating selection of other landscapes by Stanhope Forbes from public and private collections, to tell the story of this important artist.”

Stanhope Forbes’ England is an opportunity to see paintings from museums, art galleries and private collections from across England. Running alongside the exhibition until 31 October, visitors can also enjoy An Englishman Abroad which examines the changing focus of travellers from Worcestershire from pilgrimages made by the devout to the grand tours enjoyed by the upper classes.