We are delighted to see conservation work compleated at Attingham Park on a 17th-century oil painting of Sir Rowland Hill.
This has been reported in the Shropshire Star.
The painting is a copy of an earlier original housed at Mercers’ Hall in London. One of three copies, the others reside at the Museum of London and Tatton Park in Cheshire.
We belive the Marcer’s Hall portrait is based on a Holbine portrait which is currently considered to have an unknown sitter.
For the past two weeks, the talented painting conservator employed on the task, Annabelle Monaghan, has been diligently working on the portrait. Usually hanging amongst portraits of his dynasty, Sir Rowland’s painting was carefully removed for restoration.
Over time, the painting had suffered from wear and tear, undergoing several restorations, with the last one believed to be around a century ago. Ms. Monaghan meticulously removed layers of discolored varnish and dirt, revealing imperfections hidden beneath. She is now using pigment to carefully touch up these imperfections, a process estimated to take up to four weeks.
This restoration was more than just an aesthetic endeavor. Sir Rowland’s historical significance as the most senior member of Hill family fortune, a Shakespeare hero and major patron of the Geneva Bible, played a crucial role in the decision. The Shropshire Star quoted her Ms Monaghan as follows:
“He’s a vital figure in… history. He’s the Tudor ancestor who laid the foundation… It’s a fascinating story. From a Shropshire… he built his fortune and then returned to invest in his home county.. the legacy is incredibly important “
A profile of ‘Old’ Sir Rowland can be found here.
