The Illustrated Aviary

In the mid-1800s, naturalist Thomas Campbell Eyton was buying watercolours and prints of birds by the carriage load. Now part of the Ruskin Collection, the illustrations reveal the extraordinary beauty of birds, yet they also show the vulnerability Eyton and the scientific community were beginning to comprehend, with many birds depicted now vanished or under threat.
This exhibition draws together 70 works by notable bird artists such as John James Audubon, Edward Lear and John Gould. From the weird and wonderful to familiar feathered friends, it charts their discoveries and techniques with vivid and luxurious imagery.
Assisted by a brand new commission from contemporary artist Mr Finch and specimens from Museums Sheffield’s own natural history collection, The Illustrated Aviary allows Eyton’s spectacular collection to take flight once more.
Latest
Jan 07 2021
Museums by Mail
Throughout the pandemic we’ve been working hard to bring our collections, exhibitions and events to you online. However, we know not everyone can access digital content, so we're very pleased to have created a project to enable us to reach a wider audience during this often isolating time.
Nov 26 2020
New lease of life for Graves Gallery thanks to Ampersand Foundation funding
We’re really delighted to announce a new programme of refurbishment and redisplay for the Graves Gallery, which has been made possible through a generous five-year funding grant from the Ampersand Foundation.