History of the Laing
Founded in 1901, the Laing Art Gallery was a gift to the city from Newcastle businessman, Alexander Laing. To celebrate the 50th year of his company, and to thank local people for helping to create its success, Alexander Laing offered to finance the building of a gallery.
After coming to Newcastle as a representative of Edinburgh brewers, Jeffrey & co. Alexander Laing set up his own bottling company. As the business grew, he also expanded into wines and spirits.
Architecture firm Cackett & Burns Dick, designed the building in a neo-baroque style. Elements typical of the baroque revival include a stone-domed tower, featuring carved figures near it peak. In 1966 the gallery gained a new entrance, courtesy of an Arts Grant. In the upper galleries visitors can see beautifully painted lunettes. Several artists were commissioned to undertake these paintings, each depicts moments from Newcastle’s history. Among them is Corpus Christi Day in Newcastle upon Tyne, by local artists Louisa Hodgson. The painting depicts the traditional procession of the blessed Sacrament.
Corpus Christi Day in Newcastle upon Tyne, c.1450 (The Shipwright's Guild), Louisa Hodgson (1905–1980), Laing Art Gallery
Laing was fortunate to see the building’s completion in 1904 and died shortly before the anniversary of its opening. Although his business generously financed the building of the Laing Art Gallery, Alexander Laing didn’t leave any paintings or artworks to begin the gallery’s collection. Instead, he trusted the generosity of local people to fill the rooms with art. This makes the laing unusual among regional British galleries, as it was established without any formal collection.
From its beginning gifts were made from generous local industrialists and public figures. Funding from bodies such as Arts Council England help the collection continue to grow. The gallery now has a collection of designated national importance.
The permanent collection at the Laing features an extensive selection of 18th and 19th century paintings including pre-raphaelite works such as William Holman Hunt’s, Isabella and the Pot of Basil. Works by the English romantic painter, illustrator and engraver, John Martin also feature strongly within the collection. Martin was born in Haydon Bridge near Hexham, Northumberland and is best-known for his religious subjects. Anyone who has visited the Laing before is likely to be familiar with his dramatic painting, The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, 1852. The dramatic composition shows the twin cities engulfed with fire and brimstone.
On display in the Northern Spirit gallery, is the strong collection of Newcastle silver and glass. Highlights include pieces by the Beilby family, local to Newcastle. As skilled glass decorators, their workshop was synonymous with quality. They excelled in firing enamel onto glass and fell in love with the thriving glass industry in the North East.
The Laing brings art of international significance to the North East through its temporary exhibitions. Insightful exhibitions such as ‘Out of Chaos’ address current issues including migrations through a variety of works spanning over one hundred years. A mixture of loaned works from the Ben Uri collection and pictures from the Laing’s own collection. Many illustrious and well-known artists featured in the exhibition, Marc Chagall, Frank Auerbach and David Bomberg, to name a few. Innovative contemporary work by artists such as Rosie Morris transform the gallery spaces. In her work expansive paintings created an immersive experience presenting the Laing’s place in the city as a, ‘slice of a greater whole’.
Out of Chaos, The Laing Art Gallery
While (S)he is on display, there will also be an exhibition from House of Illustration which delves into the magical world of illustrator Quentin Blake. The exciting and varied temporary exhibition programme means there is always a reason to visit.
Learn more about the Laing’s history through a visit to its galleries or by picking up a copy of the new guidebook, published to celebrate 110 years of art at the Laing gallery.