STUNNING images of well-known cityscapes have gone on display for the first time after leading artists captured cities coming back to life following the deserted streets of the pandemic.

The new ‘Back To The City’ exhibition is running at Windermere Fine Art Gallery until May 20.

Artists on show will include the latest prize-winners from the highly-acclaimed annual exhibition of the prestigious Royal Institute of Oil Painters, one of the highest accolades in British art.

They will include award-winning members of the illustrious ‘Northern Boys’ painting group, such as Michael Ashcroft, ROI, as well as leading members of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI), along with Manchester Academy of Fine Arts (MAFA), which dates back to 1859 and ranks L.S. Lowry among its former members.

Matthew Titherington, who owns Windermere Fine Art Gallery, along with his wife, Dawn, explained: “The new exhibition follows artists returning to the streets of major towns and cities after the pandemic with renewed vigour and appreciation.

“Their work captures some of the most iconic views, designs and man-made structures, as well as the changing light and atmosphere as people return to the city.”

It will be the first in a series of major exhibitions at the gallery running throughout 2022, as part of a campaign to re-establish the Lake District to being widely-recognised as a northern hub for high quality fine and contemporary art, rivalling the big city galleries.

Anyone interested can contact the gallery for more information and to book a place at the exhibition’s preview evening on Thursday, April 21.

Matthew and Dawn took over the gallery just over a year ago to start luring more art buyers and London-based collectors back to the Lake District for weekends and short breaks.

"We have a display of new art work from all these artists, bringing fresh and amazing art work to Windermere,” he added. “By talking to the artists and visiting ROI exhibitions, we make sure we have some of the best oil painters in the country on display.”

The gallery has been a champion of the ‘en plein air’ painting by the distinguished group known as the ‘Northern Boys’, whose work frequently features in top London galleries.

WFA also has a second gallery, which features an extensive collection of contemporary, urban, street and graffiti art, which is updated every week.