How do we enjoy art? Does the way it is presented affect what we actually see? Paintings Unwrapped opens up new ways of looking at art and encourages visitors to look afresh at paintings.

In this exhibition 60 paintings are shown in pairs, or groups of three, and the groupings highlight ways of looking at the works without the usual classifications and labels. Instead of relying on art historical references to describe the paintings, the exhibition labels instead help viewers to use visual clues as a way of seeing and enjoying art. Comparisons and juxtapositions — often humorous — are made between paintings by Alma Tadema, William Blake, Fernand Léger, William Scott, Glyn Philpot and many others.

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