Explore history with Hartlepool art exhibition

The exhibition, called Highlights From The Collection – A New Perspective, is at Hartlepool Art Gallery, in Church Square, until Friday, May 27, and entry is free.

On show are more than 80 pictures ranging from the early Victorian era to modern times, in a range of media including oils, acrylic, pastel, watercolours, chalk and pencil plus photographic, lithographic and wood prints.

Hartlepool-born pre-Raphaelite artist, illustrator and designer Frederic J. Shields is represented, with works including Santa Bibiana (1875 – oil), AStudy (c.1880s – chalk) and Bedtime (1883 – chalk), as is James Clark (1858-1943), whose gouache – opaque watercolour – Portrait Of A Girl (c. 1883) is on show.

Seaton Carew’s Frank Henry Mason, who died in 1965 and who is best known for his maritime and shipping paintings and as a creator of art deco travel and railway posters, is also represented by works including the drypoint etchings Scarborough and Tramp Steamer (c. 1914). Also included is City(1986 – oils) by Basil Beattie, who studied at West Hartlepool College of Art from 1950-55 and at the Royal Academy Schools in London, during which he was influenced by the work of the New York artists associated with abstract xxpressionism.

Ashley Landsbury, cultural officer at the council, said: “Whatever people’s tastes, there is plenty to interest and delight them.”