A conversation with the world-renowned composer on the rich connections between his private collection and DelArt’s stellar holdings
This fall, the Delaware Art Museum will host Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber for an evening devoted to his lifelong love of British Pre-Raphaelite art—a passion that resonates profoundly with the community’s enthusiasm for the Museum’s own world-class collection.
Internationally celebrated as the composer behind The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Evita, and many more beloved musicals, Lord Lloyd Webber has also spent decades as a discerning collector and advocate of the Pre-Raphaelites, whose vibrant palettes and rejection of idealized compositions heralded a reformation of Victorian art. Holding one of the largest collections of this art, Lord Lloyd Webber has assembled a collection of some of the finest works produced by the leaders of this nineteenth-century movement.
“During his visit to DelArt this spring, Lord Lloyd Webber and I discussed the numerous connections between works in his collection and our own,” said Dr. Sophie Lynford, Annette Woolard-Provine Curator of the Bancroft Collection of Pre-Raphaelite Art. “Since then, our Pre-Raphaelite-loving community has been clamoring to learn more. On November 10, audiences will be treated to the celebrated composer’s Pre-Raphaelite ‘origin story,’ how he came to collect Pre-Raphaelite art, and his long commitment to championing Victorian culture.”
The Delaware Art Museum is home to the largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite art outside the United Kingdom. The holdings include exceptional examples by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Edward Burne-Jones, John Everett Millais, among many others. This November’s program brings together two of the movement’s foremost stewards—one public, one private—for an intimate conversation about the enduring allure of Pre-Raphaelite art across generations.
An Evening with Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber will feature a conversation between the composer and Dr. Lynford, including a cocktail reception. This benefit supports the Museum’s exhibitions, education programs, and community initiatives.
About the Delaware Art Museum
The Delaware Art Museum is a nationally recognized regional museum that connects people through art and experience. Founded in 1912 to honor illustrator Howard Pyle, the Museum now houses over 13,000 works, including the largest Pre-Raphaelite collection outside the U.K. and a growing contemporary art collection. Its campus features galleries, a 6 acre sculpture garden, labyrinth, and event spaces—creating a dynamic center and vibrant cultural resource, offering exhibitions, classes, and community programs that reflect and engage the diverse Delaware community and beyond. Visit delart.org to for the latest exhibitions, programs, and performances or connect with us via social media.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: An Evening with Andrew Lloyd Webber
WHEN: November 10, 2025 at 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
WHERE: Delaware Art Museum, 2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19806
COST: $500, sponsorships with tickets also available
INFO: delart.org/andrew-lloyd-webber