More than 60 works of art will go on display at London’s RAF Museum to shine a spotlight on different artist’s responses to the Battle of Britain and the Blitz.
The collection named In Air and Fire: War Artists, the Battle of Britain and the Blitz, will open on 27th March to showcase different perceptions of how Britain looked from July 1940 - May 1941 during World War Two.
As battles took place in the skies across the south and east of England in the summer of 1940, followed by major bombings of cities in proceeding months, artists produced a pictorial record of the war.
It will feature commissioned works by official war artists, including works by women war artists and other general pieces, in a bid to to bring together the stories and perspectives of artists from diverse backgrounds, highlighting some of the best pieces of art from the period.
Julia Beaumont-Jones, RAF Museum curator of fine art, said: “Seeing these works together offers a rare insight into the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of war artists – from the prominent members of the British School who were officially commissioned, and the formerly overlooked contributions of women artists, to the work of the ‘civil defence artist’, the exiled artist, and the amateur ‘outsider artist’.”
The display is open until March next year.
Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain
The museum is inviting people to remember the significant milestone at both its London and Cosford sites, as well as a national tour to celebrate the bravery of British pilots during World War Two.
As well as the art exhibition, the London museum will have new displays telling the story of the Battle of Britain and a series of special events including a vintage festival centred around the anniversary.
The RAF Museum Cosford has both British and German aircraft from the Battle of Britain era, and will have a Battle of Britain Proms night with musical acts suitable for all ages on 12th September.
A real Spitfire from the collection will go on display in various public spaces throughout the year too, including Coventry, Telford, Shrewsbury, Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Barnet.
Entry to both museums is free, with added extras for pre-booked groups, including free coach parking. More information is available at www.rafmuseum.org.uk.
