De Morgan Museum

William and Evelyn De Morgan were Victorian artists who addressed social and political issues of the day through their artworks.

Evelyn De Morgan was the niece of Barnsley artist John Roddam Spencer Stanhope, who was born at Cannon Hall. He encouraged his niece to take up painting and she became a successful artist. She exhibited her beautiful mythological paintings at well-known galleries and was a successful artist.

She married the potter William De Morgan in 1887. He was interested in 'Persian' art from the Islamic world and used animals and flowers to decorate his tiles, pots and vases.

Both artists were feminists who supported the Women's Suffrage Movement. They both experimented with different artforms from stained glass to painting.

In the De Morgan Museum you will discover pottery by William De Morgan which shows of his brilliance at lustreware glazing. He was an inventor and innovator and his techniques for designing pottery are highlighted in the De Morgan Museum.

The history of the Collection is highlighted with a shocking gallery. You will learn that a fire destroyed 13 paintings by Evelyn De Morgan in 1991 and see photos and sketches of one of these pictures, 'St. Christina' which show how Evelyn De Morgan made the painting.

With a tour for Pre-Raphaelite lovers and a trail for families seeking dodos and dragons, there is something at the De Morgan Museum for everyone!

We have a virtual tour of the De Morgan Musuem on Matterport and a playlist on YouTube that shows the entire collection. 

Check out our Barnsley Museums Blog for more information about William and Evelyn De Morgan.

Opening times are available at on our visit page

Free entry.