Edwin Austin Abbey: By the Dawn’s Early Light at the National Gallery

What is the Edwin Austin Abbey: By the Dawn’s Early Light exhibition?

The exhibition “Edwin Austin Abbey: By the Dawn’s Early Light” presents the artist’s monumental designs for The Hours, the celestial mural created for the Pennsylvania State Capitol. On view at the National Gallery London, it brings together preparatory studies, drawings, and rare archival material, and the exhibition is entirely free to visit.

About the Exhibition: Edwin Austin Abbey—By the Dawn’s Early Light

“Edwin Austin Abbey: By the Dawn’s Early Light” offers a rare opportunity to explore the most ambitious project ever created by the American artist Edwin Austin Abbey (1852–1911). The exhibition focuses on his spectacular design for The Hours, the 24-figure celestial cycle that decorates the ceiling of the House of Representatives in the Pennsylvania State Capitol. The monumental installation, completed between 1909 and 1911, represents the passage of time through allegorical female figures arranged against a swirling, star-studded sky.

For the first time in the UK, visitors can admire Abbey’s preparatory works for this immense commission. These include sketches, full-scale drawings, watercolours and oil studies, all preserved by the Yale University Art Gallery. Many of these materials have not been publicly displayed for decades, making the show a significant event for admirers of American art and for visitors eager to discover a unique chapter in the history of mural painting.

Abbey’s career unfolds during a transformational period in the United States — an age of ambition, cultural optimism and large-scale civic projects. His move to the UK in 1878 shaped his mature artistic identity; he remained in Britain for the rest of his life, working in an enormous studio in Gloucestershire that was considered one of the largest in Europe. From there, both the preparatory materials and the final ceiling canvas were shipped to Pennsylvania for installation.

Artists and Must-See Works

While the exhibition centres on Abbey, it also illuminates the broader context of American art at the turn of the twentieth century. The display includes comparative works and archival references demonstrating how Abbey fused celestial cartography with allegorical storytelling, creating a rhythmic circular composition representing the passage from day to night.

Key highlights include:

• Study for The Hours (c. 1909–1911): A luminous circular oil sketch presenting the figures of the Hours encircling the sun and moon.
• Preparatory drawings and full-scale cartoons: These reveal Abbey’s remarkable discipline, from initial compositional geometries to refined allegorical figure studies.
• Archival material from the Yale University Art Gallery: Letters, commissions and documentation that reconstruct Abbey’s working process and the transatlantic collaboration behind the Capitol murals.

Together, these works demonstrate how Abbey combined American Renaissance ideals with British academic influences to achieve one of the most complex mural cycles ever created by an American artist.

Planning Your Visit: Dates, Tickets & Tips

The exhibition is held in Room 1 of the National Gallery and is completely free of charge, making it an excellent cultural stop for visitors exploring Trafalgar Square. No advance booking is required, and you can combine this exhibition with a visit to the museum’s world-class permanent collection.

Why Visit Edwin Austin Abbey: By the Dawn’s Early Light?

This exhibition is ideal for visitors interested in American art, astronomy-inspired imagery, allegorical painting, or monumental public art. It offers a fascinating look at Abbey’s creative process — from early drafts to the final vision — and reveals how an artist working in rural England created one of the most spectacular public murals in the United States. The fact that the exhibition is entirely free makes it even more appealing for travellers seeking meaningful cultural experiences in London.

Practical Information

• Dates: 20 November 2025 – 15 February 2026
• Opening Hours: Daily 10:00–18:00; Fridays until 21:00
• Location: National Gallery, Room 1, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
• Tickets: Free admission
• How to Get There: Short walk from Charing Cross; served by numerous bus routes and London Underground lines.

For additional details, visit the official exhibition page: National Gallery – Edwin Austin Abbey: By the Dawn’s Early Light. To learn more about the museum itself, explore our guide to the National Gallery London.

Conclusion

“Edwin Austin Abbey: By the Dawn’s Early Light” is a beautiful and insightful exhibition that brings together the visionary imagination of an exceptional American artist. Whether you are passionate about mural art, celestial themes or the history of transatlantic artistic exchange, this free event is a must-see during your time in London. Don’t miss the chance to pair your visit with our expertly guided tour of the National Gallery’s permanent masterpieces.

This article was curated by the London Museum Tours team. With years of experience guiding visitors through London's permanent collections and temporary exhibitions, our goal is to help you plan the perfect visit.