Object Lessons at Manchester Museum

Polly Checkland Harding

Object Lessons at Manchester Museum, Manchester 19 May — 20 August 2017 Entrance is free

If you’ve never heard of the Blaschkas, German glassworker Leopold Blaschka and his son Rudolf, prepare to enjoy a say what? / oh my gravy moment: using techniques no one has been able to replicate, and working in a small room with basic equipment, the Blaschkas between them created thousands of stunningly beautiful and accurate glass models of plants and marine invertebrates. Part of the reason for using glass was to preserve the colour and shape of the flora and fauna the Blaschka’s were commissioned to model; where specimens with backbones could be stuffed and mounted, invertebrates had to be preserved in alcohol and inevitably lost their form and colour at the time. Now, a Blaschka Portuguese man o’ war will be among the objects from the collection of prolific art collector George Loudon to go on display at Manchester Museum in the new major exhibition, Object Lessons.

This is the first time that Loudon’s collection, which includes over 200 artifacts, has been open to the public. Originally intent on amassing an impressive selection of contemporary art, Loudon turned his attention to science teaching objects after a visit to the Harvard Museum of Natural History (where a selection of 847 beautiful, life-size models representing 780 species and varieties of plants, as well as over 3,000 models of enlarged parts, makes up the The Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants), believing that these finely crafted objects – created for the purpose of better understanding the natural world – were works of art in their own right.

Set out in seven different themes at Manchester Museum, the collection includes models used to teach the bite of a rattlesnake, an Edwardian pop-up human anatomy book, early French flea photographs and a life-sized papier-mâché anatomical wild turkey. Varying from the bizarre to the beguiling, these objects brought together the world’s leading scientists and most-accomplished craftsmen, reflecting a time of rapid advancements in scientific discovery, but when technology was lacking in techniques to record findings. Straightforwardly, also, Object Lessons is an opportunity to see some of the most extraordinary, and odd, artifacts you’re likely to come across.

Object Lessons at Manchester Museum, Manchester 19 May — 20 August 2017 Entrance is free

What's on at Manchester Museum

Wolf in Yellowstone
Until
ExhibitionsManchester
Wild at Manchester Museum

Manchester Museum explores the concept of ‘wild’ nature as a means of tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis in a new exhibition.

free entry

Where to go near Object Lessons at Manchester Museum

The Manchester Museum on Oxford Road Manchester
Manchester
Gallery
The Study
at Manchester Museum

Manchester Museum opened The Study on 11 September 2015. A reworking of the entire top floor of its historic Grade II*-listed building, The Study has been reimagined as a space designed to spark wonder, curiosity and a passion for research in all of its visitors.

Manchester
Restaurant
The Astronomer

The Astronomer is an exclusive dining space on the 35th floor of Vita Living North on the new Circle Square Development.

Utility Gift Shop
Manchester
Shop
Utility Gift Shop

Utility Gift Shop on Oxford Road is all about products that are new, unique, quirky and cool. High street shopping at its best.

Manchester
Restaurant
San Carlo Fumo

San Carlo Fumo may be part of a chain, but it doesn’t feel like it. Right at the top of Oxford Road, it’s lavishly decorated and specialises in cicchetti, or Italian small plates.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Kro Bar

Kro Bar, Manchester is an independent pub and music venue housed (somewhat ironically) in the former Temperance Society building.

Universally Manchester Festival 6-9 June 2024
Manchester
The University of Manchester

Celebrating its 200th year in 2024, The University of Manchester is the largest single-site university in the UK, and boasts come incredible cultural institutions, found on campus, across Manchester and…

What's on: Exhibitions

Wolf in Yellowstone
Until
ExhibitionsManchester
Wild at Manchester Museum

Manchester Museum explores the concept of ‘wild’ nature as a means of tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis in a new exhibition.

free entry

Culture Guides

Good Fridaze Family Social at Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we edge towards spring we take a look at the best events and activities for families, from theatre to festivals, dinosaur adventures to family raves.

Poet Evan Jones
Literature Events in the North

Some of our favourite leftfield live literature regulars are back with their first events of the year – we’ve picked a weird and wonderful heap we think you’ll love.

NEXT: A Primer on Urban Painting production still
Cinema in the North

Street art, LGBTQ+ History Month, and the first film festivals of the year are amongst our cinema highlights this month.

A painting of a young child being bathed in a sink of a 197s style kitchen. Around the sink are a rubber duck, a bottle of  washing up liquid, a jug, a kettle and a mug.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries are racing to announce new exhibitions so check out our top picks, from art films and nostalgic paintings to Hockney's collages.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Feminist farce, a magical circus show and Oldham Coliseum return with a brand-new off-site show. All in our latest theatre guide.

FKA TWIGS
Music in the North

Masters of minimalism, leftfield electronica and cutting edge pop. We bring you the lot in our latest live music round up.