Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery hosts Newman exhibition

Newman bust by Richard Westmacott

A display celebrating the life of Cardinal Newman and an exhibition of photographs of the Beatification Mass and Papal Visit has opened at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. The display, in Gallery 25, which runs until 6 January includes items such as the Cardinal’s jewelled mitre, crosier, robes, hat and shoes.

Many of the objects have been kindly loaned by Birmingham Oratory, including personal items and a bust of Cardinal Newman by Richard Westmacott the Younger, a sculptor and friend of the Cardinal. The display also includes ‘Portrait of His Eminence Cardinal Newman’ (1879), by Birmingham born William Thomas Roden, from the museum’s own collection.

The photos, courtesy of Birmingham Mail and Marcin Mazur, are on view until 30 January.

Newman spent 45 years of his life in Birmingham. A special trail leaflet has been produced to identify the places associated with him, his work administering to the people of the city, his establishment of England’s first oratory and his spiritual mission. It is available in libraries, museums, Catholic churches and from Tourist Information centres.