Ever wondered about the amount of care and detail required to conserve and restore a very old and valuable painting? Then you could learn a lot by witnessing conservation in action in the mansion this summer as Tatton Park, Knutsford embarks on a delicate project to conserve The Cheshire Hunt, one of the most important paintings at Tatton Park.
The Cheshire Hunt, painted by Manchester-based artist Henry Calvert (1798-1869), is the largest painting at Tatton measuring almost 4 metres wide and 3 metres high and depicts several Egerton family members enjoying the then fashionable activity of fox hunting.
It provides a unique record of the social history of Cheshire and the North West; many of the huntsmen depicted in the painting having interests not only in rural Cheshire but in nearby Manchester, hive of the Industrial Revolution.
Restoration expert Alanna of Sheshed43 said:
This is a unique opportunity to see a wonderful piece of art restored by expert restorers.
Conservation work is being carried out by oil paintings conservator and restorer Julia Dalzell ACR FBPACR(Accredited with ICON and Fellow of the British Association of Paintings Conservators Restorers).
Visitors will be able to see Julia at work in the Mansion initially every Tuesday and Friday from Tuesday May 13th until Friday June 20th with the project continuing until the end of October 2014.