WOLVERHAMPTON.- This new display at Wolverhampton Art Gallery is to show off gems from the Victorian collection, including two fantastic paintings which have not been seen in Wolverhampton for years.

‘Queen Elizabeth Reviewing the Fleet Previous to its Departure to Attack the Spanish Armada’ and ‘The Return of Sir Francis Drake to Plymouth after his Naval Expedition to Cadiz in 1587’ by J E Hodgson were borrowed by the Houses of Parliament in the 1980s and have been on display in that grand setting until now. They have now returned home for the people of Wolverhampton to enjoy.

‘There is a History in All Men’s Lives…’ reveals paintings of characters and events, some famous, others lost to history. These attractive paintings show idealised images of fair ladies, in silk and velvet dresses with lace collars, and fearless elegant cavaliers with shiny buckles, plumed hats, and sharp swords.

Head of Curatorial Services Marguerite Nugent said: ‘This exhibition is a fantastic opportunity to highlight some unseen gems from Wolverhampton’ collection of Victorian art.

‘The public can expect to see a beautiful picturesque display as this exhibition highlights the Victorian trend to paint romantic, imaginative historical works as a kind of artistic escape from gloomy, dull reality.’

Alongside the oils and watercolour paintings will be Victorian wares produced by Elkington in Birmingham, ivory, embroidery and even fascinating preliminary sketches for some of the works.