Exhibitions

The Bowes Museum houses the collection formed by John and Josephine Bowes during the 1860s and 70s. Though both the founders died before the Museum opened its doors in 1892, it stands as a monument to their passion for collecting. But the Museum is not simply a monument; as John and Josephine Bowes had no heirs, it can also be seen as their legacy.

There are few sculptures in the collections, but there is one noticable trend amongst those on show. They represent infants in repose; we presume they are asleep, although one could also read them as dead. In either case, they symbolise the relationship between the Bowes, who had no children, and their much-loved museum.

Sleep is an interesting and appropriate subject for scultpure. Sculpture is always 'still', but we read life into it. In this case, are these babies about to waken from their slumbers, or are these little tableaux memorials to lives that were too brief?