From a celebration of dolls' houses to an exhibition about Admiral Lord Nelson to a show featuring the art of Rembrandt – there is lots for visitors to look forward to at Norwich Castle in 2017.
The first of the three major exhibitions is Small Stories: At Home In A Dolls' House which will open on March 4 and run until June 25.
Visitors will be invited to discover the stories of 12 of the Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood's dolls' houses and their tiny inhabitants – ranging from the Tate Baby House, dating from 1760, to the Whiteladies House built in the 1930s.
The displays will take people through 300 years of the history of the home, and will also include a specially commissioned Dream House which will feature magical miniature rooms created by Norfolk artists. makers, schools and community groups. There will also be a special link to displays at the Strangers' Hall museum, including the chance to see the newly-conserved Norwich Baby House which dates from the 18th century.
Admiral Lord Nelson will then take centre stage at the castle from the end of July until September in the exhibition Nelson and Norfolk.
This will present an array of artefacts connected to the great naval hero and will reflect his naval victories, his relationships and his affection for his native county of Norfolk. Among the items due to be on display are the black velvet drape from his funeral car and a uniform worn by a Greenwich Volunteer who guarded his coffin during his two day lying-in-state.
From October 2017 until January 2018 the spotlight will be cast on the Dutch artist Rembrandt.
The exhibition Rembrandt: Lightening the Darkness will showcase the artist's explorations of light and darkness by featuring the nationally important collection of Rembrandt etchings held by Norfolk Museums Service and also some selected works being loaned from national museums.
Steve Miller, head of Norfolk Museums Service, said: 'We're really excited about the exhibition programme at Norwich Castle next year which encompasses a collaboration with a national museum and two exhibitions centred on household names in Nelson and Rembrandt.
'The fact that these last two are home-grown and draw on our own collections speaks volumes about the depth and quality of the collections the Museums Service is privileged to look after. Working with our partners in the county council, city council, tourism and the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, we'll ensure the exhibitions bring as many visitors as possible into the city, as well as being enjoyed by our local audiences.'
For more information about Norwich Castle events, visit www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk
Do you have a Norwich arts story? Email arts correspondent Emma Knights at emma.knights@archant.co.uk
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