Don’t miss your chance to see Lincolnshire artist Robin Wheeldon’s beautiful oil paintings as one of the largest exhibitions of his work goes on display at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life.
For the past 40 years, Robin has captured the heart and soul of the county’s rural life and proud engineering heritage.
He grew up next to a working farm in Heighington in the late 1940s and these formative experiences – seeing the horses go about their work, listening to the whir of the threshing set, and carrying fresh milk from the farm - shaped a lifelong love of the Lincolnshire landscape that is reflected in his work.
Through his paintings, Robin transports the viewer to the rolling fields and beautiful vistas of the Lincolnshire countryside.
There are characterful studies of curly coated pigs and shire horses and paintings that show the evolution of the harvest, from horse drawn binder to the steam powered thresher and combine harvester.
In one striking example, a land girl and her elderly male co-workers gather in the harvest, peering to the sky as a Lancaster bomber rumbles overhead.
The outbreak of the First World War saw one of Lincoln’s industrial pioneers, William Foster and Company, expand its operations from producing the agricultural machinery depicted in Robin's paintings to the world’s first fighting tank.
Being a founder member of the ‘Friends of the Lincoln Tank’ group, Robin's paintings are displayed alongside his designs for the Lincoln Tank Memorial, which greets motorists as the drive past University roundabout on Tritton Road.
Once visitors have admired the paintings, they can see the actual machines up close.
Among the museum’s 250,000-strong collection is a lovingly restored Foster & Co threshing drum, built in 1878, and an authentic Mark IV World War One tank, affectionately known as Daphne.
The Mark IV World War One tank on display
Steve Dunk, visitor experience manager at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to showcase such an impressive collection of Robin’s work to our visitors.
“Robin’s paintings are so evocative: he captures the Lincolnshire landscape and the communities who work it so poignantly. These stories of land, labour, and legacy complement the incredible artefacts we have on display perfectly.
“I hope everyone enjoys this exhibition by a wonderfully talented Lincolnshire artist.”
Beneath Big Skies is open until Sunday 31 May 2026. Entry is free except on event days.
Plan your visit now at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/museumoflincolnshirelife or follow the museum on Facebook.