A NATIONAL Trust house is inviting the public to see two 400-year-old paintings for the first time.
This summer, Petworth House in West Sussex is exhibiting the 17th-century portraits that were recently restored to full length after being shortened.
The portraits of Rachel Russell, Duchess of Devonshire and Mary Somerset, Duchess of Ormonde, were painted by artist Michael Dahl and are considered to be some of his finest works.
Originally displayed in the Beauty Room at the heart of Baroque Petworth, they are part of a series of eight female portraits best-known as the “Petworth Beauties” which have given this room its name.
The works were reduced to three-quarter length in the 1820s when the third Earl of Egremont, then owner of Petworth House, declared, “I will cut off their legs, I do not want their petticoats”.
This was to make space on the wall for a new scheme of paintings dedicated to celebrating British victory over Napoleon, after the third Earl’s second son, General Sir Henry Wyndham, fought in the Battle of Waterloo.
James Rothwell, National Curator said: “The portraits of the Duchesses of Ormonde and Devonshire by Michael Dahl have been transformed by their restoration.
"The lower parts of the canvases have been delicately joined back on and meticulous cleaning has revealed such superbly painted details as the flowers and jewels as well as the startling richness and colour of the costumes.
“As expressed by a contemporary, Dahl was particularly known for his prowess at depicting ‘genteel artful draperies, finely painted and well disposed’.
“The two duchesses, in their restored state, bear ample witness to that and show why there is a renewed appreciation of this brilliant portrait painter.”
The public can see the two restored paintings in the Exhibition Room at Petworth from Saturday, June 11 to Sunday, October 30 2022 at 10.30am to 4:30pm (last entry 4pm).
The portraits return in time for the start of a summer season celebrating Petworth’s 75th anniversary in the care of the National Trust.
No advanced booking is needed for the spotlight display, but visitors are required to purchase a ticket to the site to enter, free for National Trust members.
For prices and opening times visit the Petworth House and Park website.
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