THE first ever large-scale exhibition on British castles opens at a Southampton gallery today.

Capture the Castle: British Artists and the Castle from Turner to Le Brun includes famous and rarely seen works from public and private collections, including the Tate, The British Museum, and V&A, and the Government Art Collection and major art collectors.

Conjuring “the mystique, excitement and prestige of the castle from Iron Age hill forts to Victorian reproductions and fantasy castles,” it will show work by artists including Turner, Girtin, Ibbetson, and Varley - and will include a “tranquil view” of Southampton Castle by Sebastian Pether, 1790-1844.

The ‘Moonlight Scene’ shows Southampton Castle and its southern and western walls. Built in the 11th century, the original motte-and-bailey castle was rebuilt in stone and extended several times.

Only fragments of it exist today including some of the foundations and a part of the hall and vault.

A Southampton City Art Gallery spokesman said: “Castles, often sited in spectacular locations, were the perfect subject for the Romantic movement of the early 19th century that embraced the heroic past.“Castles have been equally inspiring to modern-day artists and the exhibition includes work by more than 25 contemporary artists including Christopher Le Brun, Alan Rankle, Norman Ackroyd RA, Alan Lee and David Gentleman.”

The exhibition, which includes an illustrated catalogue sponsored by the Punter Southall Group, runs from May 26 to September 2.