Truro Cathedral hosts Magnificent Photographic 'Portraits' of all 42 English Anglican Cathedrals by the late Magnum Photographer Peter Marlow

Truro Cathedral will host Peter Marlow: The English Cathedral, for the next stage of an ambitious tour of works by the late Magnum photographer, Peter Marlow. This free photographic exhibition chronicling all 42 naves of England’s Anglican cathedrals, will be on show from 4 March - 3 April 2025 in the South Aisle during normal cathedral general visiting hours.

Organised by the Peter Marlow Foundation, the charity set up to continue Peter’s legacy, the aim is that this ethereal collection of images will be exhibited at each of the 42 cathedrals he visited on his photographic pilgrimage across England. Truro Cathedral is the 25th of the 42 cathedrals to host the exhibition. Peter’s photographic portrait of Truro Cathedral transports the viewer back over a decade taking in the dramatic high vaulted ceiling and gothic arches. While the chairs may have changed since he photographed it the cathedral remains as it would have been over one hundred years ago. In the distance in Peter’s image the ornate decorative sculpture by the British sculptor Nathaniel Hitch can be seen, including the exceptional reredos and the ornamental screen behind the altar, as well as Truro Cathedral’s revered stained glass.

Peter said of his photographic cathedral tour “What I thought was going to be incredibly simple became intricate, complicated, and utterly absorbing. The journey was memorable and wonderfully hypnotic, a kind of reflective pilgrimage. My cathedral days involved hours of driving and thinking, with my reference Polaroids drying in the sun on the dashboard. England passed by."

The exhibition, Peter Marlow: The English Cathedral, invites visitors to embark on a visual journey through the lens of Peter Marlow, capturing the essence of the Cathedral in a play of natural light with all modern artificial lighting turned off. Peter’s portrayal of the cathedral evocatively transports the viewer to contemplate its dramatic interior.

Sean O’Neill, Chief Operating Officer, says of the exhibition; “I’m delighted that we have secured dates to host this exhibition. We’ve never had 41 other Naves under our roof before so it’s a great opportunity for visitors to see how each of the Anglican cathedrals differ without having to leave Cornwall.”

Visit the Peter Marlow Foundation Website

Peter Marlow Exhibition at Truro Cathedral 4 March - 3 April