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Powerhouse featuring Chinwe Russell’s 20 Historical Women Who Changed the World

Yellow background with the word power in red on it and the word house in black underneath. In between is written celebrating women's portraiture at Knole.
Powerhouse logo | © National Trust

In 2026, Knole is collaborating with artist Chinwe Russell to celebrate stories of incredible women from around the world. 'Powerhouse' featuring Chinwe Russell’s 20 Historical Women Who Changed the World showcases 20 of Chinwe's portraits in the historic spaces at Knole.

‘20 Historical Women Who Changed the World’ is a touring exhibition created by Chinwe Russell, a Nigerian-born British artist. The exhibition is a bold, colourful and historically inspired body of work that gives an insight into the lives of some incredible women. The collection contains both modern and historical figures whose work and influence have shaped our daily lives. One of the great things about this series is that it’s both women we’ve likely all heard of alongside some who are lesser known.

A close up photo, in black and white, of a smiling person standing next to a painting of a house.
Artist Chinwe Russell | © Chinwe Russell

Throughout the showrooms, some of Chinwe’s paintings will be paired with Knole’s own, drawing on some interesting thematic parallels between the women in the portraits. Some of the amazing women that have lived at Knole and shaped it into the place it is today will be highlighted through the portraiture in Knole’s collection. Chinwe’s bright, contemporary style will be a contrast to these more traditional portraits.

The exhibition opens with Queen Elizabeth I, which is the only pairing to feature the same woman. Knole’s ribbon painting will be displayed in the hall next to Chinwe’s bold reimagining of Queen Elizabeth’s armada portrait.

Other pairings in the showrooms include:

  • Chinwe's portrait of architect Zaha Hadid (1950-2016) with Arabella Cope, Duchess of Dorset (1769-1825) who was an astute businesswoman and played a key role in expanding the buildings at Knole.
  • A portrait of Marie Stopes (1880-1958), a campaigner for women’s rights with Lady Elizabeth “Betty” Berkeley, Lady Germain (1680-1769), who was a philanthropist as well as being instrumental in the establishment of the Foundling Hospital.

A painting of a woman in a red cloak holding a globe on a stake in front of her. She has red hair. There are two ships on a blue sea behind her.
Elizabeth I by Chinwe Russell | © Chinwe Russell

Exclusively for Knole, Chinwe has created a new painting of La Baccelli, a celebrated Italian ballerina and mistress of the 3rd Duke of Dorset, John Frederick Sackville. A voluptuous plaster statue of her naked reclining form sits at the bottom of the Great Stairs, and Chinwe’s painting will sit alongside this. Chinwe has chosen to present La Baccelli in her role as a ballet dancer, the occupation that brought her fame, and to the notice of John Frederick Sackville.

Life size off-white plaster sculpture of Giovanna Zanerini, 'La Baccelli' the dancer and mistress of the 3rd Duke of Dorset, reclining on drapery at Knole in Kent.
Plaster sculpture of Giovanna Zanerini, 'La Baccelli' at Knole, Kent | © National Trust Images/Jane Mucklow

The rest of Chinwe’s portraits from this series will be displayed in the Orangery. These include:

  • Barbara Castle (1910-2002), politiciian
  • Rosalind Franklin (1920-1958), chemist
  • Ada Lovelace (1815−1852), mathematician and writer
  • Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), social reformer, statistician and the founder of modern nursing
  • Rosa Parks (1913-2005), civil rights activist

A painting of a women in a black dress on a blue and yellow background standing behind a bus. She is holding a sign that says I am a person. There are other signs on the painting around her.
Rosa Parks by Chinwe Russell | © Chinwe Russell

Powerhouse events

Talk with Chinwe Russell on 20 Historical Women Who Changed the World

Friday 8 May | 1.30-2.30pm | £7.50 per person (normal admission to Knole applies)

Chinwe's series of portraits are a bold, colourful and historically inspired body of work which gives an insight into the lives and legacies of some remarkable women. In this talk, she explores the role of women across cultures and generations, reflecting on how storytelling through art becomes a powerful way to preserve history, challenge narratives and pass on important messages for the future.
Why not incorporate a visit to the showrooms into your day, to see the Powerhouse exhibition, including Chinwe's paintings? Showrooms open from 11am, last entry 3.30pm.
Cake and hot drink included in the ticket price. Booking essential - book online or call 0344 249 1895.

Meet the artist, Chinwe Russell

Friday 8 May | 3.30-4.30pm | Free event, normal admission to Knole applies.

Meet artist Chinwe Russell and chat to her about the bold and colourful paintings in the 20 Historical Women Who Changed the World series.
Head into the beautiful Orangery at Knole for this free drop-in session, where several of Chinwe's paintings are temporarily on display for the Powerhouse exhibition. Chinwe will be there from 3.30-4.30pm to chat and answer questions about the paintings, and the influential women in them. You can see more of Chinwe's paintings on display in the showrooms, paired with some of Knole's portraits of influential women.
This is a free event and booking is not required, however, you may wish to pre-book your admission ticket to Knole in advance. Book online or call 0344 249 1895.

To find out more about the exhibition and planning your visit to Knole, please go to: Powerhouse featuring Chinwe Russell’s 20 Historical Women Who Changed the World

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The women of Knole 

Women weave a fascinating and rich thread throughout Knole's history. Often wealthy and powerful in their own right, they left their mark on Knole, a legacy that remains today.

Portrait of Lady Anne Clifford, Countess of Dorset and Countess of Pembroke and Montgomery (1590-1676) by British (English) School

Knole’s portrait collection 

The Knole collection includes more than 300 paintings by 17th and 18th-century masters, many commissioned and collected by Sir John Frederick Sackville, the 3rd Duke of Dorset.

The interior of the Reynolds Room of paintings at Knole, Kent

History of Knole 

Knole is full of treasures and was designed to impress its visitors. Originally an archbishop’s palace, then Royal residence, now home to the Sackville family for over 400 years.

A room with a large framed ornate bed in the centre. The bed has red and gold covers and red curtains hanging at the corners. There is a fireplace to the right, stools to the left and at the foot of the bed and a tapestry on the wall to the left of the bed. There are also portraits hanging on the walls around the room, and the ceiling is white with a pattern created in wood.

Explore the showrooms at Knole 

Knole was built to impress. Come and explore the grandeur of its showrooms, the hidden secrets of the attics and the rooms Eddy Sackville-West called home in the Gatehouse Tower.

A lavishly decorated bedroom with a four poster bed hung with embroidered hangings and tapestry hung walls at Knole in Kent

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