The exhibition project serves as a culmination to the practical side of The Courtauld’s new MA programme Curating the Art Museum. The eight students were given an open brief to explore The Courtauld collection and to bring together an exhibition for display in The Courtauld Gallery. Encouraged to look towards works that were not often, or had not recently been, on display, the students had full access to The Courtauld’s diverse collections, including the Conway Library with its rich collection of photographs of European architecture and the Book Library’s special collections of early edition books. In addition, they made use of the vast collection of works on paper housed in The Courtauld’s Print Room and of the collection of painting, sculpture and decorative arts. Through exploring and researching these collections the students brought together the exhibition Stages and Scenes: Creating Architectual Illusion.

Stages and Scenes was curated by:
Marcus Besley
Madeleine Brechin
Laura Harford
Lynne Mcadam
Nicola Pickering
Sophie Shaw
Ashley Siple
Jessica Stevens-Campos

Comments from the visitors’ book

“I did not expect the subject of the exhibition to hold much appeal for me personally but I found it to be fascinating. The text panel s are superb giving an understanding and insight to the casual viewer. I am glad I chanced upon this opportunity and I am sure in future I will have a new regard for such drawings… A great achievement for the MA students and I sense they have enjoyed their past year.”

“Wonderful show. More of these curated works on paper shows please! That a single collection can do justice to this sort of idea is fabulous and makes one hope that it could foster 100 more!”

“Really fantastic — wonderful exhibits and inspiring use of thematic linking. Good textual accompaniments — thoroughly enjoyed this exhibition!!”

“Innovative idea for an exhibition and elegantly realized.”