5 Must-See Paintings in HX Houses
Are you an art lover? These historic estates are home to extraordinary collections. From the Baroque splendor of Boughton House to a charming canine portrait at Belvoir Castle, this article delves into the stories behind these masterpieces. Discover the beauty and intrigue of these remarkable collections and the fascinating tales they tell.
1. Sudeley Castle: Lucas De Heere, An Allegory of The Tudor Succession, 1570s, oil on canvas.
Everyone is hooked on the Kardashians and Succession, but the Tudors were the OG dynasty. Gossip, drama, betrayals, fights – the Tudors had it all!
Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire is a hub of Tudor history and its crowning glory is Lucas De Heere’s An Allegory of the Tudor Succession. This grand oil painting was commissioned by Elizabeth I in 1572 as a gift for her spymaster.
Henry VIII sits at the heart of the composition in a dramatic throne with Edward VI and Elizabeth I positioned at his right hand. The somewhat problematic (Catholic) figures of Mary Queen of Scots and Philip of Spain are pushed to the back left of the painting. To add weight to this Tudor diss, Mars, the God of War, is depicted behind Philip of Spain, suggesting his loyalty to the Catholic church after the Reformation could cause some serious problems.
Visit Sudeley Castle to discover the secret message painted around the frame of this painting!
Book your tickets here to enjoy the rest of the fabulous collection at Sudeley, which includes a gorgeous miniature of Katherine Parr painted by the prolific Hans Holbein the Younger. For the fashion lovers amongst you, Sudeley also has an extensive textiles collection, with embroidery dating back to the 17th century.
2. Holkham Hall: Melchior d’Hondecoeter, William III’s Lowland Wars, 17th C, oil on canvas.
Holkham Hall in Norfolk is a Palladian treasure box filled with opulent interiors and a fabulous art collection. Thomas Coke, the 1st Earl of Leicester, was responsible for the building of the Palladian hall that stands today. A prolific collector, the works he acquired on his grand tour and afterwards form most of the collection you can see today.
Our favorite painting in Holkham Hall is the action-packed allegorical painting, William III’s Lowland Wars, which Coke bought from Sir Robert Walpole, the first prime minister of the UK.
The painting is an allegorical representation of the wars of William III waged against Louis XIV. Each country involved in the conflict is represented by a bird. For instance, the cockatrice represents France whilst the goose represents England.
The drama and dynamism of the painting makes it stand out from d’Hondecoeter’s other, more traditional, animal paintings. However, in true keeping with Dutch Golden Age artists, d’Hondecoeter packs the painting with meticulous detail and gorgeously rendered textures.
A must see along with the rest of the incredible collection at Holkham Hall.
3. Boughton House, Louis Chéron Ceilings, 1690s.
Breathtaking baroque painted ceilings are just an hour out of London! Boughton House in Northamptonshire is known as ‘The English Versailles’ for its opulent State Rooms and painted ceilings created by the Huguenot artist Louis Chéron.
In the 1690s, the owner of Boughton House, Ralph Montagu, commissioned nine ceiling paintings in anticipation of a visit by William III. The ceilings depict mythological scenes from Homer and Ovid including “The Return of Persephone” and “Mercury Holding the Golden Apple”. The works have just undergone an extensive restoration project, removing dirt, yellowed varnish and old repainting. Now is the best time to see them as they have been restored to their original vivid glory. Gaze up at heavily muscled gods and porcelain skinned goddesses. Enjoy the vibrancy of rich red drapery rippling in a brilliant blue sky.
The history behind these masterpieces and the rest of the collection is fascinating. Book a tour of the house here to discover the stories behind the incredible collection at Boughton House. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity!
4. Belvoir Castle: George Stubbs, Turk, a Dog Belonging to the Duke of Rutland, 1778, oil on panel.
This real-life fairytale castle in Rutland boasts exquisite interiors, inspired by the opulence of French Rococo and the grandeur of classical Rome. Belvoir Castle is also home to an amazing collection of art, including works by prominent artists such as Dürer, Poussin and Rubens.
However, amongst the grand portraits and dramatic history paintings, a little painting of a little dog is by far our favorite! In 1778, the 4th Duke of Rutland commissioned the renowned English artist, George Stubbs, to paint his dog Turk. Stubbs captures the faithful animal in all his furry glory! He stands proud, with his tail in the air, dominating the landscape behind him, as though he himself is a Duke presiding over his estate.
Plan and book your visit here to this must see castle, nestled in the heart of the breathtaking county of Rutland.
5. Doddington Hall: John Arnold Alfred Wheeler, Piggy, 1874, il on canvas.
Sticking with the animal theme, our final suggestion is John Wheeler’s oil portrait of ‘Piggy’ in Doddington Hall in Lincolnshire. Inside the Elizabethan prodigy house you will find an extensive collection of textiles, ceramics, furniture and paintings.
Our favourite from the collection is the gorgeous portrait of Piggy, a bay horse and favorite hunter of the artist George Eden Jarvis. The painter, John Wheeler, specialised in animal portraiture and enjoyed the patronage of many affluent English families, including the Manners family!
The powerful animal’s muscles bulge beneath his shining chestnut coat. He is one handsome horse! Don’t miss the biennial sculpture exhibition, set in the romantic gardens of Doddington Hall! Book you tickets here.
