New exhibition unveiled at South Shields Museum & Art Gallery

South Shields Museum & Art Gallery is proud to announce its new exhibition titled, Shields, on the River Tyne. This exhibition spotlights a mezzotint print of J.M.W. Turner’s iconic watercolour, Shields, on the River Tyne, giving visitors an insight into the South Shields riverside area in the early nineteenth century through the eyes of one of Britain’s most celebrated artists.

The Museum’s new exhibition coincides with the Laing Art Gallery’s exhibition, Turner: Art, Industry and Nostalgia,  and the National Gallery 200 programme, which commemorates the bicentenary of the National Gallery in London. As part of this national celebration, the National Gallery has loaned twelve masterpieces from their collection to museums and art galleries across Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This year, Newcastle’s Laing Art Gallery was chosen to display J.M.W. Turner’s masterpiece, The Fighting Temeraire, from May-September 2024.

Turner visited South Shields on several occasions and painted a watercolour of Shields, on the River Tyne in 1823, which was specifically intended to be reproduced as a mezzotint engraving, then printed and sold. South Shields Museum & Art Gallery holds two of these prints in its collection, and has created this display to link with the major exhibition at the Laing Art Gallery, and the National Gallery 200 programme. 

About the Mezzotint Print:

In the print, Shields, on the River Tyne, Turner recorded the thriving coal and shipping industry at the centre of South Shields. In this calm river scene, coal is being transferred from keelboats into collier ships ready for transportation. At the top right, an early coal waggon can be seen on a coal drop at the end of a primitive railway built to carry coal from the mines. Turner’s watercolour, painted as the original image for the mezzotint, is held in the Tate Britain collection. The scene provided a depth of contrast that translated well into the medium of mezzotint. Turner closely supervised the engravers to ensure they faithfully captured the technical detail and spirit of his watercolour originals. It could take an engraver months, or even a year, to produce just one small print. 

Highlights of the exhibition:

J. M. W. Turner’s mezzotint print: At the heart of the exhibition is the mezzotint print of Shields, on the River Tyne, a representation of the River Tyne’s bustling maritime activity during the 18th century. The print captures Turner’s masterful use of light and his deep appreciation for the region’s industrial landscape. 

Accompanying artworks: Visitors can explore further artworks from the museum’s collection which have captured and explored important elements of their time. 

Sensory display: Visitors can interact with the exhibition’s sensory wall. The objects and materials used aim to inspire visitors’ imaginations and asks them to think about the: sights, sounds, touch and smells of boats and ships on the River Tyne.

South Shields Museum & Art Gallery Manager, Geoff Woodward on the new exhibition: “We are thrilled to present ‘Shields, on the River Tyne’ to our community and visitors. This exhibition not only celebrates Turner’s link to our region and artistic talents but also celebrates the significant maritime heritage of South Tyneside.” 

The Museum’s Shields, on the River Tyne exhibition is open to the public now, until 23 January 2025. Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to experience Turner’s mezzotint print up close and to participate in a series of related family workshops planned throughout the exhibition’s run. 

ENDS

Media contact: 

South Shields Museum & Art Gallery: Sallie Ball 

e: sallie.ball@twmusuems.org.uk 

t: 0191 277 2152 

Notes to Editors About South Shields Museum & Art Gallery:

South Shields Museum Ocean Road South Shields NE33 2JA www.southshieldsmuseum.org.uk |info@southshieldsmuseum.org.uk (0191) 211 5599 

At the very heart of the community, South Shields Museum celebrates the rich heritage of South Tyneside and the people who shaped it. The building that South Shields Museum currently occupies has had a long and interesting past. It was constructed in 1860 as a home for the South Shields Literary, Mechanical and Scientific Institution.

In 1873 the building became the town’s first free Public Library and Reading rooms and it opened as a museum in 1876. The museum is spread over two floors telling the story of the borough's social, industrial and maritime history from 4,000 years ago to the present day through a range of displays, exhibitions and nationally significant works of art. On the ground floor you can get closer to the collection and treasures of South Tyneside. There's also Creature Corner, home to resident reptiles and spiders, the shop and a small cafe, the Victorian Pantry, serving a range of hot and cold refreshments. Up on the first floor are the temporary exhibition and art gallery spaces which hold regular exhibitions.