Venice, Paradise of Cities at Cooper Gallery, Barnsley

Sara Jaspan, Exhibitions Editor
Venice, Paradise of Cities at Cooper Gallery, Barnsley
Courtesy of Cooper Gallery

Venice, Paradise of Cities at Cooper Gallery, Barnsley 14 September — 30 November 2019 Entrance is free — Visit now

Weren’t quite able to make it over to Venice this summer? Us neither. But while you may still have to travel to see the Biennale, the city itself is far less of a journey away than you might think. It’s only down the road, in fact, in Barnsley. To mark the 200-year anniversary of the Victorian art critic and artist John Ruskin’s birth, Cooper Gallery is launching Venice, Paradise of Cities ­– an exhibition that celebrates the magical city through the work of the countless artists that have fallen prey to its spell over the centuries.

an exhibition that celebrates the magical city through the work of the countless artists that have fallen prey to its spell over the centuries

Ruskin was so entranced by the floating former republic that he spent over three decades depicting its beauty through hundreds of sketches and paintings and writing about its remarkable art and architecture in his major three-volumes treatise The Stones of Venice.  His great friend, the Romantic painter JMW Turner, also visited on numerous occasions and his pioneering handling of the city’s unique light through luminous watercolours continues to shape and inspire the popular imagination today.

Venice, Paradise of Cities at Cooper Gallery, Barnsley

Turner and Ruskin were far from the first to depict Venice, however. Turner’s vision was particularly shaped by the legendary work of the born-and-bred 18th century Venetian artist Canaletto, whose masterful paintings are among the exhibition’s star attractions. More recent representations will be on display too, including a series of 20th century experimental works.

Venice, Paradise of Cities tells the story of Venice through the eyes of the artists who painted some of its most iconic scenes

Altogether, Venice, Paradise of Cities tells the story of Venice through the eyes of the artists who painted some of its most iconic scenes – from views of the Doge’s Palace and Piazza San Marco, to the famous Grand Canal. Today, thanks to pollution and mass tourism (key themes in this year’s Biennale), the UNESCO city may not be quite what it once was, yet its charm still remains. Cooper Gallery’s new exhibition represents a rare opportunity to witness Venice through multiple accounts from across the years, and to travel abroad without even going near a boat or plane. Eco-tourism in action.

Venice, Paradise of Cities at Cooper Gallery, Barnsley 14 September — 30 November 2019 Entrance is free Visit now

Where to go near Venice, Paradise of Cities at Cooper Gallery, Barnsley

Kōdo Entrance
City Centre
Restaurant
Kōdo

Kōdo, a secret bar like no other. It is all about discovery. The only way to enter is with a special code, which changes weekly.

MediaCityUK
Café or Coffee Shop
Blanconero

High-level Italian food in Salford Quays, with no less than seven different lasagnas to choose from.

Yoga classes for all levels and aims.
Leeds
Yoga Hero

Yoga Hero offers various classes, including within their studio and online for all levels and all aims.

 Patrick, SpongeBob and Squidward at the UK's only Nickelodeon Land.
Blackpool
Tourist Attraction
Nickelodeon Land

Combine the thrill of an amusement park with the colourful world of Nickelodeon at the UK’s only Nickelodeon Land, located within Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort.

Leeds
Restaurant
Archive

Archive serving up speciality coffee and bespoke events to the people of Kirkstall, including craft fairs, vintage pop ups and exhibitions.

Ego Death
Manchester
Restaurant
Ego Death

Ego Death is a speakeasy-style secret bar in the Northern Quarter with a cocktail menu as good as its atmosphere.

Flat Iron Leeds
Manchester
Restaurant
Flat Iron Manchester

Relaxed restaurant in the centre of Manchester, serving impressively high-quality steaks at an affordable price point.

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

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.

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.

The Super Duper Family Festival
Family things to do in the North

We might be past the holiday season, but Manchester and the North's arts and cultural calendar is still packed with brilliant events and activities for families

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.