Visual Arts

Sharing Harewood as a home is something that sits naturally with the Earl of Harewood and his family. It's been many things over the years and continues to evolve as a country estate today. One constant however, is that Harewood is, and always has been, a home.

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the laying of Harewood House's foundation stone, this exhibition entitled 'Home Truths' explores the powerful concept of home, what is home and what home means to us all. 

JMW Turner's watercolours of Harewood House were the catalyst to the exhibition. Rarely seen in public due to the risk of fading, this series of work epitomises much of the thought process behind the exhibition: a naturalistic style set against a backdrop of contrived landscape design.

Green Interior by Eleanor Moreton

Harewood House's team of curators believe they have crafted an exhibition that provokes discussion. Anna Robinson, Head of House and Collections: "If the exhibits and method of exhibiting starts a conversation with our visitors, then we have achieved our goal. The exhibition invites the visitor to consider this concept of 'home' against other works and to enhance the exhibition, the exhibits are cleverly installed throughout the House, the State Floor and The Terrace Gallery."

"Some of these works are not for the faint hearted, borrowed from renowned galleries around Europe, such as London’s Saatchi Gallery, acclaimed artists such as Michael Raedecker, David Thorpe, Graham Crowley, Sarah Woodfine, Kerry Harker and George Shaw show their work alongside the masters. Extraordinary modern works of art sit alongside extraordinary works and furnishings of the 1800s. Others fit naturally within the home initiative with architectural plans of Harewood at its concept, combined with today's plans for our own homes of the 21st century." 

To enhance the exhibition, Harewood House is also opening rooms below stairs that have previously not been available to the public. Harewood wasn’t just a home for the well-heeled - hundreds of servants have lived and worked here over the years. These rooms have been recreated for visitors without the waxwork element, offering a sneaky peek into life below stairs, plus a intriguing insight into hierarchy in the underbelly of Harewood.

The Home Truths Exhibition opens at Harewood House on Friday 3 April and continues until Sunday 5 July 2009 (Open every day 12noon - 4pm). Entrance to the exhibition is free with a House and Grounds ticket. Check the website for more information: