Tear and holes in historic 19th century Lytham Hall painting fixed as part of £3,600 restoration
Lytham Town Trust has donated £3,600 to Lytham Hall to ensure a classic artwork looks its best on display at the Grade I-listed Georgian mansion.
The money enables the restoration of Gustave Doré’s 1867 oil painting, Blessed are the Charitable, displayed along the back staircase at the Hall. The painting, which has been at the Hall since the days when it was occupied by the Clifton family, has now been meticulously conserved thanks to the Trust’s support.
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The Hall, managed by the Heritage Trust North West, commissioned fine art conservator Vanessa Andrews to undertake the work on site. The restoration involved repairing a tear and two small holes, cleaning the entire painting, improving old repairs, re-stretching one corner to enhance the overall appearance, and applying two coats of varnish.
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In addition, the previously-emulsioned frame was transformed with two coats of gold paint, making the artwork truly stand out and complementing the back staircase.
The careful removal, rehanging, and support of the painting was co-ordinated by the Lytham Hall staff and management team, who ensured the work was completed safely and professionally.
David Gill, who chairs Lytham Town Trust, said:“We are thrilled to support the restoration of this beautiful 1867 work by Gustave Doré.
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“Preserving artworks such as Blessed are the Charitable for the enjoyment of future generations is one of the key objectives of the Endowment Fund we have set aside for projects at Lytham Hall, which provides the perfect setting for it.”
Michael Guy, chief executive officer of Heritage Trust North West, the building preservation trust which manages Lytham Hall, added:"This restoration has brought a new vibrancy to the back staircase, and Doré’s Blessed are the Charitable now truly commands the attention it deserves.
“We are grateful to Lytham Town Trust for making this possible and for helping us safeguard the heritage of Lytham Hall."
Following the work, the restored painting - which Lytham legend says last Clifton family squire of Lytham Harry Clifton didn’t sell as it was too big to remove - has been returned to its place above the back staircase, preserving an important part of Lytham Hall’s collection.
Gustave Doré was a French printmaker, illustrator, painter, comics artist, caricaturist and sculptor born in Strasbourg in 1832. He is best known for his prolific output of wood engravings, illustrating classic literature, especially those for the Vulgate Bible and Dante's Divine Comedy. He died in Paris in 1883.