George Stubbs and the Anatomy of the Horse in North Lincolnshire

2024 marks 300 years since the birth of the artist George Stubbs. Two of Stubbs’ most loyal patrons were Sir Henry and Lady Nelthorpe of Baysgarth House, Barton Upon Humber. One of his greatest achievements was the publication of the book ‘The Anatomy of the Horse’. All the preliminary work; the physical dissecting, and the illustrating of many horse carcasses in several stage of dissection, was done in Horkstow, only 8 miles away from Normanby Hall Country Park.

We will be celebrating Stubb’s work and his connection to North Lincolnshire through a programme of exhibitions and events throughout the year. The exhibitions and events have been made possible through Arts Council England funding as part of the Humber Museums Partnership.

The exhibitions and events have been made possible through Arts Council England funding as part of the Humber Museums Partnership.

If you would like to see some of George Stubbs’ earliest works you can visit nearby Scawby Hall.

Inspired by Stubbs, Ground Floor of Normanby Hall

1 March 2024 – 5 January 2025

This season, the ground floor of Normanby Hall is home to nine artworks responding to the theme of George Stubbs and the horse. Pieces such as sketchbooks, paintings and sculptures show how Stubbs is still influencing artists today. Use the touchscreens to discover extra information about the artists and their works.

Suited to Side Saddle, Costume Gallery, First Floor of Normanby Hall

1 March 2024 – 5 January 2025

Discover a brief history of the side saddle through women’s costume.

Stubbs in the Stables, the Stable Yard

1 March 2024 - 5 January 2025

In the stables at Normanby Hall Country Park you can learn more about Stubbs and his time at Horkstow. The exhibition shows amazing images of Stubbs’ work. Also on display is a life-sized horse model, painted to show the bones and muscles, by Gillian Higgins from Horses Inside Out.

Artists in the Hall, Exhibition Gallery, First Floor of Normanby Hall

1 March 2024 – 5 January 2025

Take a look back through the last few years of North Lincolnshire Museums’ work with some brilliant artists. Since 2020, artists have been responding to the objects and themes in the Hall to interpret them in unique ways. This exhibition is a celebration of the inspiration, processes and finished works of these artists.

Aerial Photography by Jason Butler, Rural Life Museum

29 March 2024 – 30 September 2024

Jason Butler uses drones to photograph the local area. This season we have a selection of his work on display at the Rural Life Museum.

Butler’s photographs show agricultural activity in the area around Normanby and Burton-upon-Stather. The enormous scale of modern agriculture is shown in the size of the fields and the machinery. It is of great interest to see how far agriculture has come, comparing modern day to the historic tools and machinery on display in the Museum.