The Green World of Brown is coming to the Rose Paterson Art Gallery
The Green World of Brown - An Immersive Exhibition Celebrating the Vision and Legacy of 'Capability' Brown
This summer, the Landscape Foundation UK presents The Green World of Brown, an inspiring, free-to-enter, mixed-media exhibition celebrating the enduring influence of Lancelot “Capability” Brown (1716–1783), Britain’s most iconic landscape architect and a pioneer of environmental design. Open from 5 August to 25 September 2025, the exhibition will be hosted in the Rose Paterson Art Gallery at Weston Park — one of Brown’s most beloved West Midlands landscapes.
Curated by renowned photographer and publisher Allan Pollok-Morris, with the support of Steffie Shields MBE, landscape architect Hal Moggridge, author and artist Susie Staikos, and interior designer Lady Henrietta Spencer Churchill, The Green World of Brown shines a contemporary light on Brown’s visionary approach to nature, architecture, and sustainability.
Featuring a wealth of material drawn from over 50 country estates where Brown’s designs continue to thrive, the exhibition blends contemporary art with historical documentation to illustrate Brown’s holistic philosophy of working with nature.
Visitors to the exhibition will be able to explore rarely seen architectural drawings, immersive projections showcasing the panoramic scale of Brown’s landscapes and photographic works from over 25 acclaimed photographers including Joe Cornish, Jason Ingram, and Tessa Traeger.
This exhibition is the first to highlight how modern landscape designers such as Tom Stuart-Smith, Piet Oudolf, Kim Wilkie, Dan Pearson, and Xa Tollemache build upon Brown’s legacy. Their contemporary works within Brown’s enduring frameworks underscore the ongoing relevance of naturalistic design in a climate-conscious age.
In the words of the Duke of Devonshire, who reflects on the evolution of Chatsworth’s landscapes:
“Chatsworth is often thought of as timeless, but the truth is that it has always been changing… Capability Brown and Joseph Paxton used the latest tools, techniques and ideas to deliver their particular genius… Tom Stuart-Smith and Dan Pearson have the vision and talent to continue Chatsworth’s radical tradition.”
All exhibits are selected with sustainability in mind, with a strong emphasis on reusing archival materials to minimize environmental impact.