THE work of one of York’s most famous sons will go on display at the city art gallery as part of a major new exhibition.

York-born Victorian artist William Etty was considered to be controversial for his tributes to the works of the old masters, and was exiled from the artistic elite for his passion for the voluptuous female nude. Dr Sarah Burnage, who has spent two years working on the exhibition, said: “Etty is without doubt one of the most significant artists of his generation.

“He was described by contemporaries as ‘one of the finest specimens of historical talent that the English school has yet produced’ and revered for his skills as a colourist.

“This exhibition aims to drag Etty’s art from the doldrums of art historical obscurity and offer a fresh opportunity to look at the works of his remarkable artist.”

William Etty: Art And Controversy will run from Saturday, June 25, until January 22.