Watch our conservation team up close as they roll out and condition check a huge painting from our stores. This unique event will bring something that often happens behind the scenes front of house.
Plymouth-born artist Solomon Hart (1806-1881) embarked on this dramatic work depicting Lady Jane Grey awaiting execution in 1839. It secured his election to the prestigious Royal Academy of Arts, although the enormity of the painting proved challenging and it has spent a great deal of time rolled and in storage ever since.
Visit The Box between 27 September and 4 October to see the painting being slowly unrolled and assessed – an important task that will give us a much better idea of the future possibilities for this ambitious work of art.
The timetable for the conservation in action event is:
• 27 September – Unrolling
• 28-29 September – Condition reporting, treatment and recording
• 30 September-1 October – Painting on public view
(2 October – The Box is closed)
• 3 October – Additional condition reporting, treatment and recording
• 4 October – Re-rolling
The Box’s opening hours are 10am-5pm. Admission is free and there’s no need to book.
