THE National Trust’s Mottisfont in Hampshire showcases the quirky machinery and exquisite paintings of Heath Robinson from today.

In the 1930s, Heath Robinson became known as "The Gadget King", and he is still most widely remembered for his detailed drawings of eccentric, over-complicated contraptions. But he was also a talented painter

The exhibition features over 60 original pieces covering the extraordinary breadth of his work, from witty cartoons to dream-like watercolour landscapes and illustrations, including scenes from Shakespeare. Alongside the gallery show, an interactive family trail introduces children to the delightful world of Heath Robinson.

Mottisfont have collaborated with the Heath Robinson Trust to create this show, with works on loan from the Heath Robinson Museum.

Trained at the Royal Academy School, Heath Robinson’s ambition was to become a landscape painter. However, in order to establish himself financially, the artist turned to book illustration, and, later, comical drawings for magazines, which proved extremely popular and gained him acclaim.

His talents as a humourist were greatly in demand for the rest of his career, and he continued to create illustrations for magazines, commercial art and advertisements. But he also continued to paint for pleasure.

The exhibition includes some of Heath Robinson’s earliest published works, including illustrations for The Adventures of Uncle Lubin (1902), which he both wrote and illustrated. This book brought his imaginative wit to the fore, and included early examples of his contraptions.

Many will recognise the humorous works on show. There are a number of the classic, unnecessarily complex processes achieving simple objectives, such as ‘Doubling Gloucester cheeses by the Gruyere method in an old Gloucester cheese works - when cheese is scarce’.

The exhibition also includes the artist’s wartime cartoons, which used gentle satire and absurdity to counter propaganda and fear. These proved immensely popular both for soldiers on the front and civilians at home, and helped establish Heath Robinson as a humourist.

But the exhibition reveals another side to the artist, alongside his more well-known comic works. Heath Robinson created sumptuous book illustrations for, amongst others, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Water Babies; some exquisitely painted in colour, and all full of rich detail.

You'll also discover a series of exquisite landscape works. While his popular illustrations provided his main income, Heath Robinson never lost his love for painting, which he would pursue in his spare time throughout his life. The exhibition includes beautiful, impressionistic watercolour scenes, proving his pure artistic skill.

Alongside the gallery show, there are fun, Heath-Robinson inspired activities around the grounds throughout the duration of the exhibition, including February half-term. You can have a go at inventing your own curious contraption – and there's a competition for the best designs.

Heath Robinson: Dreams and Machines runs from 20 January – 15 April 2018. Mottisfont’s gallery opens at 11am and closes at 4pm (5pm from 4 February). Normal property admission price only. For visitors unable to access the second floor gallery, we have digital versions of exhibitions on iPads which are available on lower levels.

For more information about the exhibition, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont/features/heath-robinson-exhibition-at-mottisfont. For more information about Mottisfont visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont or call 01794 340757.