The Williamson Art Gallery and Museum in Birkenhead is set to present the largest ever exhibition of work by Leonard McComb, one of the most important British artists of the 20th century. Titled Leonard McComb: Nature and Humanity, the exhibition will run from Friday, August 14 to Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Exhibition Highlights
The show will bring together 60 of McComb's best pieces, including works from the artist's estate and choice loans from public and private collections. Notably, 'Rock and Sea Anglesey' from Oriel Môn, measuring over 10 metres long, is the largest drawing on paper held by any UK public collection. Additional loans come from Manchester Art Gallery and the Royal Academy.
Focus on Ecology
The exhibition will have a particular focus on McComb's ecological outlook, which permeates his work across painting, drawing, and sculpture. Curator Josh Mackarell said: "We are delighted to be able to bring this major exhibition of an important and celebrated artist to Merseyside. McComb's work is not just relevant to our modern times for its beauty and technical brilliance, but also because its environmental outlook speaks to the fundamental debates of our time."
Support and Collaboration
The loans are supported by the Weston Loan Programme with Art Fund, a UK-wide funding scheme enabling smaller and local authority museums to borrow works from national collections. The exhibition is a collaboration with Art Space Gallery|Michael Richardson Contemporary Art, and the Estate of Leonard McComb RA.
