MATE* We Love Art (Manchester Art Treasures Exhibtion) | The Unofficial Stretford Museum | 11th-15th November

In 1857, Trafford hosted the Manchester Art Treasures Exhibition, one of the largest exhibitions of artwork ever staged. Attracting huge public interest, it was a significant moment in Manchester's cultural history, helping to shape the way art was collected, appreciated and understood across Britain.

Now, a new installation at the Unofficial Stretford Museum is bringing this moment back into the spotlight.

MATE* We Love Art (*Manchester Art Treasures Exhibition) has been created by Kate Quinn, a Stretford-raised Open University Art History and Visual Culture student, with a particular interest in civic identity, 19th-century Manchester and Renaissance art.

Through high-quality reproductions of highlights from the original 1857 exhibition, alongside accessible interpretation, MATE explores the stories behind the artworks and the exhibition's lasting cultural influence.

One of its key stories is that of Italian Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli. Although now recognised as one of the great names in art history, Botticelli was relatively overlooked by early Grand Tour visitors. The 1857 exhibition helped bring his work to wider attention in Britain.

The installation also explores a fascinating detail: Botticelli's Portrait of a Young Man, now part of the National Gallery's collection, was originally attributed to another artist, Masaccio, when it appeared in the exhibition.

The aim of MATE is to make art history feel accessible to everyone, regardless of how much they know about art. You don't need to be an expert to enjoy it - just come along, have a look and discover something new.

What's on

The main exhibition will be free to drop into from 10th-15th November at The Unofficial Stretford Museum, opening hours:

• Tuesday 10th: Join Kate at 7pm for a walkthrough tour
• Wednesday 11th to Friday 13th: 12-3pm and 5-7pm
• Saturday 14th to Sunday 15th: 11am-5pm

And on Sunday 15th November at 4pm, join us for the talk "Manchester to Florence: the Botticelli Pipeline" diving into how the Manchester Art Treasures Exhibition rediscovered the Renaissance. 

MATE is part of The Unofficial Stretford Museum's ongoing programme of commissions, celebrating the people, stories and history that make Stretford what it is. Click here to find out what else is coming up