Masterpieces return to Bishop Auckland
From George Stubbs to Thomas Gainsborough, some of the most celebrated names in art history are back on the walls of the Bishop Trevor Rooms at Auckland Palace - joined by a never-before-seen work.
On display now and available to view until early November, the highlights include Stubbs’ The Grosvenor Hunt, Gainsborough’s Wooded Landscape with a Milkmaid, Rustic Lovers and a Herdsman, painted during his final years in Bath, and a luminous landscape by Claude Lorrain, one of the most influential painters of his time.
The display also features a new addition: a portrait of an unknown man attributed to Stubbs early in his career, painted while he was living in York. This is the first time the work has been seen by the public.
“These familiar favourites are extraordinary works by some of the finest artists, and it’s a privilege to display them in Bishop Auckland,” said Clare Baron, head of exhibitions at regeneration-through-culture charity, The Auckland Project.
“Set within Bishop Trevor’s former private apartments, the paintings offer an intimate encounter with art and history.”
The Bishop Trevor Rooms, which opened in 2019, occupy the private retreat of Richard Trevor, Prince Bishop of Durham from 1752 to 1771. Designed by architect John Carr of York, the suite of bedroom, dressing room and study reflected Trevor’s wealth, taste and love of art.
Trevor is best known for acquiring Zurbarán’s Jacob and His Twelve Sons, which still hang in the Long Dining Room. Today, his legacy continues in the rotating displays of important loans and furnishings that echo his passions.
This is the third time the collection has been on loan to The Auckland Project, which is hosting a vibrant summer programme across its sites. “With the Deer Park and gardens at their best, the works of art echo the natural beauty of the season and invite visitors to see the landscape, and our heritage, with fresh eyes,” Clare said.
The collection will remain until early November, when the gallery will close for the installation of Christmas at the Palace.