Conservation in Action: 'Lady Jane Grey at Her Place of Execution' by Solomon Hart
27 Sep 2023 - 04 Oct 2023
This event has already taken place, but you can find out what happened below.
More info
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. This event has now taken place, but you can find out more about what happened below.
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.
Between 27 September and 4 October 2023, the painting was 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 was:
• 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 from 1pm
Read our conservation in action event press release.
We are grateful for the donations we have received to date towards the conservation of Lady Jane Grey at Her Place of Execution by Solomon Hart. If you'd like to donate too, click the donate button. Please note, we are not currently set up for Gift Aid.
