Five major artworks have gone on display at the University thanks to a major loan by Marks & Spencer for the benefit of its home city.
The world-famous retailer, which started life in Leeds’ Kirkgate Market, has loaned paintings by Claude Monet, LS Lowry, JMW Turner, Maurice de Vlaminck and Edward Seago – some of which have never been on public display.
The five artworks are now exhibited in The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery, alongside the University’s own exemplary art collection.
The University’s Art Curator, Layla Bloom, said: “We’re delighted that Marks & Spencer has shared these formidable treasures with us.
“This loan helps us to expand the story of 20th century British art display through our collection at The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery, whilst also making links to the fascinating history of Marks & Spencer – a British institution born here in Leeds.
“Each work contributes in a different way to our gallery displays, and will provide new opportunities for our audience – especially for young people – to engage with and enjoy art on campus.”
Marks & Spencer has a strong link with the University, with founder Michael Marks setting up his first penny bazaar in the city in 1884, before joining forces with Tom Spencer in 1894. The relationship has continued with the M&S Company Archive establishing its home on Leeds’ campus in 2012.
The award-winning facility enables M&S to celebrate and utilise its rich heritage for the good of the business, its customers and the wider community.
M&S Company Archivist, Katharine Carter, said: “As a business, M&S is committed to sharing our own heritage through the work of our company archive, so it’s very fitting that these wonderful art treasures are now available for people to view and enjoy here in Leeds.
“They’re fantastic pieces and we’re delighted our partnership with the University enables them to be experienced by the wider audience they deserve.”
Highlights on loan
Laurence Stephen Lowry, Market Stalls, 1961
LS Lowry is an artist famous for his industrial scenes in the north of England, and distinctive and stylistic approach to human figures. It’s believed this particular artwork was specially commissioned to celebrate the opening of the Market Street M&S store in Manchester in 1961, and was presented to M&S Chairman, Sir Simon Marks, by property developer, Bernard Sunley.
This is the first time this artwork has been available to view by the public since a Royal Academy exhibition in 1976.
Joseph Mallord William Turner, The Pantheon the Morning after the Fire, 1792
Never having been on public display, this artwork by Turner was sketched when he was only 16, following a fire at the Pantheon Assembly Rooms in London. This destructive event – a suspected arson – clearly made a great impression.
The location of the former theatre enjoyed a new lease of life when M&S opened an impressive new store – designed in the art deco style – on the Pantheon site in 1938.
Claude Monet, Automne à Jeufosse, circa 1884
Claude Monet, the ‘father’ of Impressionism, was fascinated by the changing light and colours of the moment, seasons and weather. This piece depicts Jeufosse, near his home at Giverny in France, where Monet painted several views.
Waiting ‘with a hunter’s concentration’ for the light to change, he would work quickly to render the particular colours of that moment. This is the first time since 1963 that this artwork has been exhibited for all to enjoy.
Further information
Top image credit: Leeds University Library Galleries.
Located in the Parkinson Building at the University, The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery – back to its full opening hours for the first time in 22 months – is free to visit and open to all from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday.
For media enquiries email University of Leeds Marketing & Galleries Assistant Manager Laura Beare at L.J.Beare@leeds.ac.uk.