| Castle Museum Opening Times | - Norwich Castle museum is open Mon–Fri 10am–4.30pm and Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 1pm–5pm
- During Easter, school half-term and summer holidays, opening hours are Mon–Sat 10am–5.30pm and Sun 1pm–5pm.
- For general enquiries call 01603 493625, or listen to the 24-hour-information line on 01603 493648
|
In the early 19th century, Norwich was home to a group of artists who formed the only regional school of painting in England. Landscape 200 features six new exhibitions at the Norwich Castle Museum, celebrating the bicentenary of the Norwich School of Artists, a group renowned for their paintings of the Norfolk landscape. The school's great masters were John Crome and John Sell Cotman. In 1803 this loose-knit circle united to start the Norwich Society of Artists and from 1805 until 1833 they held annual exhibitions in the city. The Landscape 200 event includes watercolours by John Sell Cotman from the British Museum, 21 paintings by Turner – on loan from the greatest private collection of British watercolours - and classic paintings from the castle's Norwich School collection. "Norwich Castle is home to the finest collection of watercolours by John Sell Cotman," said Andrew Moore, keeper of art at Norwich Castle. "Landscape 200 offers visitors a special opportunity to appreciate the breadth of Cotman's contribution to the history of British watercolour, through three of the strongest collections of his work: the Norwich Castle's permanent collection, the Hickman Bacon Collection and that of the British Museum," he added. Creative partnerships  | | A Low Sun - J M W Turner (detail) |
Landscape 200 is presented in partnership with the East Anglia Art Foundation (EAAF). The organisation helps to bring world class art to Norfolk and supports the art exhibitions programme at Norwich Castle. "Never before have so many wonderful English Romantic landscapes been seen together in Norwich – this is a unique opportunity to glory in watercolours of the very highest quality and we are proud to be part of this landmark anniversary," said Nick Lyons, chairman of EAAF. The event also includes the Norwich Castle Open Art Show, the opportunity for Norfolk artists to showcase their work, selected by a panel from the Royal Academy of Arts, London. "This is a wonderful opportunity for artists from Norfolk, under the age of 30, to exhibit their pictures at Norwich Castle," said Peter Hornor, speaking on behalf of the exhibition's main sponsor. "There is a great tradition of creativity in Norfolk and this is an unusual opportunity to see how local artists are working today," he added. The six exhibitions featured within Landscape 200 are: Mon 21 March – Sun 26 June 2005 Cotman in the British Museum: The James Reeve Collection
Norwich Union Gallery, Norwich Castle. This exhibition of watercolours and drawings by John Sell Cotman on loan from the British Museum, explores the story of Reeve's collection and his links to Cotman – whose work he championed. Mon 21 March – Sun 26 June 2005 The Golden Age of Watercolours: The Hickman Bacon Collection
Bernard Matthews Gallery, Norwich Castle.  | | Pembroke Castle - David Cox (detail) |
Twenty-one paintings by J M W Turner are on show alongside works by some of the finest British watercolourists: John Sell Cotman, David Cox, John Robert Cozens, Thomas Girtin, Richard Parkes Bonington and Peter de Wint. Until Sun 27 November 2005 Face to Face: Portraits of Artists of the Norwich School
Colman Gallery, Norwich Castle. Famous now for their landscapes, in their day, the Norwich School artists were quick to diversify. Operating in a highly competitive environment, they turned their hands to teaching, portrait painting, still life, writing and the restoration of art works. This display brings together rarely seen portraits of the artists themselves – a chance to see the faces behind the paintings. Mon 21 March 2005 – Sun 19 March 2006 John Sell Cotman and the Norwich School: Landscapes in Watercolour
Colman Watercolour Gallery, Norwich Castle. Sat 30 April – Sun 5 June 2005 Norwich Castle Open Art Show
Timothy Gurney Gallery, Norwich Castle. Discover how the 'rare and beautiful' Norfolk of Cotman’s time continues to inspire artists today. To complement the bi-centenary of the Norwich School of Artists, artists living and working in Norfolk submitted work for selection by a panel from the Royal Academy of Arts, London. Over 100 pieces are on show and all are for sale. Mon 5 Dec 2005 – Sun 5 Feb 2006 Brown & Co Open Art Show Award
Cotman Gallery, Norwich Castle.
An exhibition of work by the winner of the Brown & Co Open Art Show award. | 
