English Heritage unveils rare painting at Chiswick House

Sixth Rysbrack in ‘Bedingfeld set’ returns to Chiswick House

A view of Chiswick House from the south-west Following a short period of cleaning and restoration, English Hertiage has today (12 September) unveiled a newly acquired painting at Chiswick House entitled ‘A view of Chiswick House from the south-west’ by the renowned Dutch landscape artist Pieter Andreas Rysbrack (c. 1685-1748).

One of the eight ‘Bedingfeld set’ that were originally commissioned between 1729 and 1732 by Lady Bedingfeld, sister of the 3rd Earl of Burlington (patron of Chiswick House), this painting will go on permanent display in the Green Velvet Room at the House alongside five of the set previously acquired by English Heritage. 

An important piece of artwork in its own right, this picture is particulalry significant because it depicts the Old and the New House and shows the remains of the formal landscape, before it was swept away and replaced by the more naturalised style that exists today.

Since going under the hammer at Sotherby’s on 6 June, the painting has undergone careful cleaning and restoration at English Heritage’s conservation studio. 

Adam Webster, Senior Collections Conservator (fine art), English Heritage undertook the work and commented:  “When the painting came to us it was in good condition considering its age.  Initial assessment revealed that the picture mostly required cleaning as the surface coating was yellowed and discoloured.  Some areas had also been disfigured due to overpaint and varnish.  Once this was removed the true, cool tonality of the work was returned along with the original sense of perspective.”

Cathy Power, Senior Curator (London) commented on the unveiling:  “It is fantastic to add another painting to the Rysbrack collection at Chiswich House.  All the artwork in the set are special and this painting is particualry important as it offers an insight into the house and gardens before it was completely remodelled by Lord Burlington – it is a glimpse in to a long lost past.”

Carole Souter, Director of National Heritage Memorial Fund, said: “Chiswick House is a glorious example of 18th-century British architecture and this magnificent painting by Rysbrack, one of the period’s prominent landscape painters, shows it in all its glory. The National Heritage Memorial Fund's grant has ensured that this painting is returned to its natural home for future generations to enjoy.”

The painting was successfully secured on behalf of English Heritage by Richard Green, from Richard Green Galleries, Bond Street.  This acquisition was made possible due to the generous support of the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF), the London Historic House Museums Trust, a £45,455 grant from The Art Fund, the UK’s leading independent art charity, Friends of Chiswick House and a number of private individuals.

For more press information or images, please contact:
Natasha Ley, Corporate Communications Manager, English Heritage
Tel. 020 7973 3252
 
NOTES TO EDITORS

Chiswick House is one of the finest examples of neo-Palladian architecture, and the gardens, which were designed by Lord Burlington with help from his friends William Kent and the poet Alexander Pope, are widely considered to be the birthplace of the English landscape movement.

Decades of wear and tear and limited funding have taken their toll on the site, prompting the need for a major cash injection to secure its future. To date, £7.9 million has been earmarked by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) as part of a £12.1 million project to restore the gardens. Gifts and pledges have already been secured through a major fundraising campaign, with just £2.2 million to go to complete the work.

The interests of English Heritage, which manages the House, and the London Borough of Hounslow, which is responsible for the park and gardens, have been integrated into the Chiswick House and Gardens Trust. The Trust was established in April 2005 and is made up of a broad spectrum of people that can actively contribute to the future of the entire historic estate, under the independent chairmanship of Rupert Hambro.

The National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) is the fund of last resort for the nation’s heritage, set up as a living memorial to those who have given their lives in conflict. In recognition of the vital role it plays and to help meet an increasing number of applications, the government doubled its grant to NHMF from £5 million to £10 million for this year. NHMF provided a grant of £91,200 for the purchase of ‘A view of Chiswick House from the south-west’.

For further information about the NHMF please contact:
Dervish Mertcan or Alison Scott
Tel: 020 7591 6102 / 6032 
Mobile: 07973 613820   
www.nhmf.org

The Art Fund is the UK’s leading independent art charity. It offers grants to help UK museums and galleries enrich their collections and campaigns widely on behalf of museums and their visitors.  It is entirely funded from public donations and has 80,000 members.

Since 1903 the charity has helped museums and galleries all over the UK secure 860,000 works of art for their collections. In 2006 it offered over £5 million to museums and galleries.

In January 2007 The Art Fund successfully led the public appeal to save JMW Turner’s Blue Rigi for Tate. In April 2007 The Art Fund launched a new £5 million scheme – ‘Art Fund International’ – aimed at developing the collections of international contemporary art in UK regional museums and galleries. In July 2007 The Art Fund was instrumental in putting together a unique funding package to ensure Dumfries House in Ayrshire was secured for the nation.

Independent of government, The Art Fund is uniquely placed to campaign on behalf of public collections across the UK.  It was at the forefront of the campaign for free admission in 2001 and the campaign to save the Macclesfield Psalter in 2005.

Visit the charity’s website at www.artfund.org
Eleanor Houghton, Communications Assistant, The Art Fund
Tel: 020 7225 4804