Jeremy Paxman wowed by the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

“If only I’d known the Russell-Cotes Museum was there, it would have made all those political party conferences I had to cover in Bournemouth a lot more fun. The place is a feast.”
said Jeremy Paxman, the journalist and TV presenter.

Jeremy recently spent a day at the Bournemouth museum and art gallery filming an episode for his new television series, The Victorians – Their Story in Pictures, beginning on 15th February. The episode featuring the Russell-Cotes, ‘Dreams and Nightmares’ is due to be broadcast on Sunday 8th March at 9pm on BBC One. 

The four-part series is written and presented by Paxman, who says: “Victorian paintings aren’t fashionable today. But to me they’re a gold mine. Like nothing else, they show us what it was like to live in those incredible times. And they tell amazing stories.”

Episode four, ‘Dreams and Nightmares’ (produced by Phil Cairney), explores how in the dying years of Victoria’s reign, artists led a revolt against Victorian values of morality, money and religion. Instead creating a world of dreams, spiritualism, medieval romance, sex and death. In this context, Paxman looks at the personality of Sir Merton Russell-Cotes and his fascinating art collection which features many nudes, such as The Siren (1821) by Charles Landelle (1879-1908) (pictured with Jeremy).

The Victorians – Their Story in Pictures, BBC One, Sundays at 9pm, is written and presented by Jeremy Paxman. The Executive Producer is Basil Comely and the Series Producer is Julian Birkett. The episode featuring the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum is due to be broadcast on Sunday 8th March at 9pm.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Images of Jeremy Paxman at Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum are available from Kerry Curtis, 01202 451823, kerry.curtis@bournemouth.gov.uk. All images are courtesy of the BBC.

2. A biography of Jeremy Paxman can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/biographies/biogs/news/jeremypaxman.shtml

3. Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum in Bournemouth is a dramatic experience for many visitors.  The exuberance and variety of styles found within the building creates a unique atmosphere that is a mixture of both private house and public museum.  Created by two dedicated collectors, Sir Merton and Lady Russell-Cotes, the Russell-Cotes is a museum of national importance.

4. Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays (closed Good Friday & Christmas Day), from 10.00am to 5.00pm and is at Russell Cotes Road, East Cliff, Bournemouth, BH1 3AA, UK. The entrance is from East Cliff Promenade. T. 01202 451 858. www.russell-cotes.bournemouth.gov.uk

5. Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum is a Registered Charity (no. 306288).

Press enquiries & images:

Kerry Curtis, Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
T. 01202 451823  E. kerry.curtis@bournemouth.gov.uk

For further information about Jeremy Paxman and The Victorians – Their Story in Pictures:
BBC Press Office:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressenquiries