Heath Robinson Unseen

10th Anniversary Exhibition

‘Climbing the Peak’ from 'Peter Quip in search of a friend' 1922, courtesy of Bruce Castle Museum 1

'Came the whisper, came the vision' from 'A Song of the English' by Rudyard Kipling 1909, courtesy of Bruce Castle Museum

Created to commemorate our 10th anniversary, this landmark exhibition brings together never-before-exhibited and rarely seen works by William Heath Robinson, spanning his career from his earliest illustrations to his final years. Drawn from the Heath Robinson family, private collections, museums, specialist archives and our own holdings, many of these works will return to private hands or collections when the exhibition closes.

Arranged chronologically, Unseen runs in parallel with our permanent exhibition next door (included with your ticket). If the permanent gallery presents the established story of Heath Robinson’s life and work, Unseen opens the archive drawers to reveal sketches, experiments, lesser-known commissions and unexpected discoveries that sit beyond the familiar narrative. Alongside these loans are works from the Museum’s own collection, many making a rare appearance away from our online collection.

Beyond the famous fantastical machines lies a draughtsman of remarkable range, imagination and skill, whose work continues to surprise a century on. In an era of profound technological change, Heath Robinson’s imagination, humour and insight feel as relevant as ever.

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