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Collection Gems - Historic Houses

Bridgeman Images is delighted to represent the collections of many of the most important historic houses in the UK.

 

Beautiful from the outside, historic houses are often just as impressive on the inside. They house some of the greatest art collections worldwide. Read on to see curated highlights from the houses we represent:

 

Northumberland Estates, Northumberland

 

Portrait of a young man, possibly Andrea di Matteo degli Albizzi, 1510 (oil on panel), Andrea del Sarto,  (1486-1530) / Collection of the Duke of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland / © Collection of the Duke of Northumberland / Bridgeman Images
Portrait of a young man, possibly Andrea di Matteo degli Albizzi, 1510 (oil on panel), Andrea del Sarto,  (1486-1530) / Collection of the Duke of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland / © Collection of the Duke of Northumberland / Bridgeman Images
Portrait of two gentlemen, called Nicholas Stone and his son (oil on canvas), William Dobson,  (1611-46) (attr. to) / Collection of the Duke of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland / © Collection of the Duke of Northumberland / Bridgeman Images
Portrait of two gentlemen, called Nicholas Stone and his son (oil on canvas), William Dobson,  (1611-46) (attr. to) / Collection of the Duke of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland / © Collection of the Duke of Northumberland / Bridgeman Images

 

The private collection of the Duke of Northumberland has been accumulated over four centuries. It is rooted in the personal interests and patronages of the Percy family. It incorporates the work of significant artists of the Italian Renaissance, including pieces by Palma Vecchio and Andrea del Sarto. Alongside this, the collection included the intricate portraiture of Sir Anthony van Dyck and William Dobson. The Northumberland collection is open to the public at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland and Syon House, London.

 

A lady seated, 1525 (oil on canvas), Jacopo Palma, (Il Vecchio) (c.1480-1528) / Collection of the Duke of Northumberland, Syon House, London, UK / © Collection of the Duke of Northumberland / Bridgeman Images
A lady seated, 1525 (oil on canvas), Jacopo Palma, (Il Vecchio) (c.1480-1528) / Collection of the Duke of Northumberland, Syon House, London, UK / © Collection of the Duke of Northumberland / Bridgeman Images
Portrait of Algernon, 10th Earl of Northumberland, c.1638 (oil on canvas), Anthony van Dyck,  (1599-1641) / Collection of the Duke of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland / © Collection of the Duke of Northumberland / Bridgeman Images

 

The Buccleuch Collections

 

A wooded landscape with a track and a stream in the foreground (oil on canvas), Jacob Isaaksz. or Isaacksz. van Ruisdael (1628/9-82) / Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfries, UK / The Buccleuch Collections / Bridgeman Images
A wooded landscape with a track and a stream in the foreground (oil on canvas), Jacob Isaaksz. or Isaacksz. van Ruisdael (1628/9-82) / Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfries, UK / The Buccleuch Collections / Bridgeman Images
A bay hunter in a loosebox, 1856 (oil on canvas), Byron Webb, (fl.1844-66) / Bowhill House, Scottish Borders / The Buccleuch Collections / Bridgeman Images
A bay hunter in a loosebox, 1856 (oil on canvas), Byron Webb, (fl.1844-66) / Bowhill House, Scottish Borders / The Buccleuch Collections / Bridgeman Images


The Buccleuch Living Heritage Trust houses one of the richest private art collections in the world. This organisation was established in 2010 to encourage the advancement of artistic, historic, architectural and aesthetic educational pursuits. These efforts resulted in a charity which unifies art and historic buildings. The collection comprises paintings by an assortment of renowned artists, from El Greco to Thomas Gainsborough. The paintings, furniture, porcelain, silver, miniatures, sculptures and tapestries were assembled by the Buccleuch family over 600 years. 

 

The Adoration of the Shepherds (oil on canvas), El Greco,  (Domenico Theotocopuli) (1541-1614) / Boughton House, Northamptonshire, UK / The Buccleuch Collections / Bridgeman Images
The Adoration of the Shepherds (oil on canvas), El Greco,  (Domenico Theotocopuli) (1541-1614) / Boughton House, Northamptonshire, UK / The Buccleuch Collections / Bridgeman Images
Portrait of Elizabeth Montagu, Duchess of Buccleuch, c.1758 (oil on canvas), Thomas Gainsborough, (1727-88) / Boughton House, Northamptonshire, UK / The Buccleuch Collections / Bridgeman Images
Portrait of Elizabeth Montagu, Duchess of Buccleuch, c.1758 (oil on canvas), Thomas Gainsborough, (1727-88) / Boughton House, Northamptonshire, UK / The Buccleuch Collections / Bridgeman Images


Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire

 

The Proverbs, Teniers, David the Younger (1610-90) / Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, UK / Bridgeman Images
The Proverbs, Teniers, David the Younger (1610-90) / Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, UK / Bridgeman Images
Detail of the Chinese wallpaper, King's Sitting Room (photo) / Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, UK / Bridgeman Images
Detail of the Chinese wallpaper, King's Sitting Room (photo) / Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, UK / Bridgeman Images

 

The history of Belvoir Castle dates back to the 11th century. It is the ancestral home of the Duke of Rutland. John, 3rd Duke of Rutland, collected Old Masters paintings. His growing collection was continued by his ancestors, who acquired a variety of works by artists including Sir Joshua Reynolds and George Stubbs. Amongst the collection is artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger and David Teniers the Younger.
 

Woodcutter's Home, c.1780 (oil on canvas), Thomas Gainsborough,  (1727-88) / Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, UK / Bridgeman Images
Woodcutter's Home, c.1780 (oil on canvas), Thomas Gainsborough,  (1727-88) / Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, UK / Bridgeman Images
King Henry VIII (oil on canvas), Hans Holbein the Younger,  (1497/8-1543) (after) / Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, UK / Bridgeman Images
King Henry VIII (oil on canvas), Hans Holbein the Younger,  (1497/8-1543) (after) / Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, UK / Bridgeman Images

 

Parham House, West Sussex

 

Elizabeth Palmer, c.1564-1633 (oil on panel), William Segar,  (fl.1585-d.1633) / Parham House, West Sussex, UK / © Parham House/Nick McCann / Bridgeman Images
Elizabeth Palmer, c.1564-1633 (oil on panel), William Segar,  (fl.1585-d.1633) / Parham House, West Sussex, UK / © Parham House/Nick McCann / Bridgeman Images
Sovereign of the Seas, 17th century (oil on canvas), Lorenzo a Castro (fl.1664-1700) / Parham House, West Sussex, UK / © Parham House/Nick McCann / Bridgeman Images
Sovereign of the Seas, 17th century (oil on canvas), Lorenzo a Castro (fl.1664-1700) / Parham House, West Sussex, UK / © Parham House/Nick McCann / Bridgeman Images

 

The Pearson family dedicated over forty years to decorating Parham house with a carefully curated collection of furniture, paintings, books, textiles and clocks. They additionally chose a selection of interesting objects which had once been held at Parham or had a historical association with the house, such as Stuart embroidered pictures and a royal saddle. These items are complemented by the large array of portraits, in which the sitters often display a wealth of needlework detail in their impressive clothing. 

 

A state saddle and two saddle bags used by James II, c.1686 (embroidery on silk velvet) / Parham House, West Sussex, UK / © Parham House/Nick McCann / Bridgeman Images
A state saddle and two saddle bags used by James II, c.1686 (embroidery on silk velvet) / Parham House, West Sussex, UK / © Parham House/Nick McCann / Bridgeman Images
An embroidered panel depicting 'The Judgement of Solomon', c.1640 (embroidery) / Parham House, West Sussex, UK / © Parham House/Nick McCann / Bridgeman Images
An embroidered panel depicting 'The Judgement of Solomon', c.1640 (embroidery) / Parham House, West Sussex, UK / © Parham House/Nick McCann / Bridgeman Images


 

Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

 

Portrait of the 9th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and their two sons, hanging in the Red Drawing Room at Blenheim Palace (photo) / Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, UK / Bridgeman Images
Portrait of the 9th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and their two sons, hanging in the Red Drawing Room at Blenheim Palace (photo) / Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, UK / Bridgeman Images

 

The remarkable Blenheim Palace collection is one of the most valuable art collections in Europe. It features a roster of impressive paintings by Joshua Reynolds, Anthony van Dyck, and John Singer Sargent. The palace itself, built between 1705-1733, was originally a gift from Queen Anne to John Churchill following his victory at the 1704 Battle of Blenheim.

 

Portrait of the 4th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and family, 1777-78 (oil on canvas), Joshua Reynolds,  (1723-92) / Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, UK / Bridgeman Images
Portrait of the 4th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and family, 1777-78 (oil on canvas), Joshua Reynolds,  (1723-92) / Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, UK / Bridgeman Images
Margaret Lemon as Erminia, c.1638 (oil on canvas), Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641) / Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, UK / Bridgeman Images
Margaret Lemon as Erminia, c.1638 (oil on canvas), Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641) / Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, UK / Bridgeman Images

 

Burghley House, Lincolnshire

 

Tulips, c.1675 (gouache on vellum), Nicolas Robert,  (1614-85) / Burghley House Collection, Lincolnshire, UK / Bridgeman Images
Tulips, c.1675 (gouache on vellum), Nicolas Robert,  (1614-85) / Burghley House Collection, Lincolnshire, UK / Bridgeman Images
Lady Elizabeth Cecil, Anthony van Dyck, (1599-1641) / Burghley House Collection, Lincolnshire, UK / Bridgeman Images
Lady Elizabeth Cecil, Anthony van Dyck, (1599-1641) / Burghley House Collection, Lincolnshire, UK / Bridgeman Images


Burghley House was built in 1556 by Sir William Cecil, who later became Lord Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I. It remains as one of the finest examples of Elizabethan design in the UK. This house is embellished by a brilliant collection of art; encapsulating the works of wood carvers Grindling Gibbons and Jonathan Maine, the plasterer Edward Martin and the painters Louis Laguerre and Antonio Verrio. Alongside these gems, the panelled Billiard Room houses family portraits and the Marquetry Room contained a display of 16th century Flemish pictures and 17th century furniture. There is also a fascinating collection of 17th century Japanese porcelain. 
 

 

Chatsworth House, Derbyshire

 

The Bellman (w/c & bodycolour on board), Samuel Palmer,  (1805-81) / The Devonshire Collections, Chatsworth / Reproduced by permission of Chatsworth Settlement Trustees / Bridgeman Images
The Bellman (w/c & bodycolour on board), Samuel Palmer,  (1805-81) / The Devonshire Collections, Chatsworth / Reproduced by permission of Chatsworth Settlement Trustees / Bridgeman Images

 

Chatsworth House, the Derbyshire home of the Cavendish family, the Dukes of Devonshire, is known as ‘The Palace of the Peak’. It has frequently been chosen as Britain’s favourite country house. It is home to one of the greatest private art collections in the world, containing treasures acquired by the Cavendish family from the 16th century onwards. The Devonshire Collection incorporates portraits of the family alongside views of the house, garden and park throughout the ages. There are also depictions of pastoral English scenes and trips to exotic lands. The artists include Sir Anthony van Dyke, Pompeo Batoni, Samuel Palmer and John Singer Sargent. The Chatsworth collection maps the development of the aristocratic tastes of the last few centuries. 

 

The Acheson Sisters (oil on canvas), John Singer Sargent,  (1856-1925) / The Devonshire Collections, Chatsworth / Reproduced by permission of Chatsworth Settlement Trustees / Bridgeman Images
The Acheson Sisters (oil on canvas), John Singer Sargent,  (1856-1925) / The Devonshire Collections, Chatsworth / Reproduced by permission of Chatsworth Settlement Trustees / Bridgeman Images
Portrait of Lord Richard Cavendish, 1773 (oil on canvas), Pompeo Girolamo Batoni, (1708-87) / The Devonshire Collections, Chatsworth / Reproduced by permission of Chatsworth Settlement Trustees / Bridgeman Images
Portrait of Lord Richard Cavendish, 1773 (oil on canvas), Pompeo Girolamo Batoni, (1708-87) / The Devonshire Collections, Chatsworth / Reproduced by permission of Chatsworth Settlement Trustees / Bridgeman Images

 

Goodwood House, West Sussex

 

John III Sobieski (oil on canvas), Gonzales Coques,  (1614-84) / The Trustees of the Goodwood Collection / Bridgeman Images
John III Sobieski (oil on canvas), Gonzales Coques,  (1614-84) / The Trustees of the Goodwood Collection / Bridgeman Images
Henrietta Le Clerc (oil on canvas), George Romney,  (1734-1802) Martin Archer & Shee,(1769-1850) / The Trustees of the Goodwood Collection / Bridgeman Images
Henrietta Le Clerc (oil on canvas), George Romney,  (1734-1802) Martin Archer & Shee,(1769-1850) / The Trustees of the Goodwood Collection / Bridgeman Images

 

Goodwood House is home to the Glorious Goodwood car racing festival. This grand country house also features many fine portraits of the previous inhabitants by artists such as George Romney and Anthony van Dyke. This extraordinary collection also comprises paintings of racehorses, a subject synonymous with the Goodwood name
 

 

The 3rd Duke of Richmond with the Charlton Hunt, 1759-60 (oil on canvas), George Stubbs, (1724-1806) / The Trustees of the Goodwood Collection / Bridgeman Images
The 3rd Duke of Richmond with the Charlton Hunt, 1759-60 (oil on canvas), George Stubbs, (1724-1806) / The Trustees of the Goodwood Collection / Bridgeman Images

 

 

Holkham Hall, Norfolk

 

The Battle of Cascina, or The Bathers, after Michelangelo, 1542 (oil on panel), Aristotile da Sangallo (1481-1551) / Holkham Hall & Estate, Norfolk, England / By kind permission of the Earl of Leicester and the Trustees of the Holkham Estate / Bridgeman Images
The Battle of Cascina, or The Bathers, after Michelangelo, 1542 (oil on panel), Aristotile da Sangallo (1481-1551) / Holkham Hall & Estate, Norfolk, England / By kind permission of the Earl of Leicester and the Trustees of the Holkham Estate / Bridgeman Images

 

Holkham Hall is one of the great neo-Palladian houses of England. It holds the art collection of the Earls of Leicester. Thomas William Coke, the First Earl of Leicester, was an extravagant and careful collector who spent six years on a Grand Tour of Europe in the early 18th century. Of the hundreds of items brought back to Holkham, the most celebrated is Sangallo’s copy of Michelangelo’s ‘Battle of Cascina’, the only visual record of this lost painting.

 

A Sunset or Landscape with Argus Guarding Io (oil on canvas), Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellee) (1600-82) / Holkham Hall & Estate, Norfolk, England / By kind permission of the Earl of Leicester and the Trustees of the Holkham Estate / Bridgeman Images
A Sunset or Landscape with Argus Guarding Io (oil on canvas), Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellee) (1600-82) / Holkham Hall & Estate, Norfolk, England / By kind permission of the Earl of Leicester and the Trustees of the Holkham Estate / Bridgeman Images

 

Houghton Hall, Norfolk


 

The Cholmondeley Family, 1732, William Hogarth, (1697-1764) / Private Collection / Bridgeman Images
The Cholmondeley Family, 1732, William Hogarth, (1697-1764) / Private Collection / Bridgeman Images
Horse and Rider in a Creek (mixed media on board), Sidney Nolan,  (1917-92) / Private Collection / Bridgeman Images
Horse and Rider in a Creek (mixed media on board), Sidney Nolan, (1917-92) / Private Collection / Bridgeman Images

 

The magnificent Palladian Houghton Hall in Norfolk is the seat of the Marquess of Cholmondeley. Houghton was once home to the British Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole. Although many of his collected pieces were sold to Catherine the Great of Russia in 1779 to settle debts, there are many remarkable paintings remaining at Houghton. The masterpieces range from Samson and Delilah by Artemisia Gentileschi, to works by John Singer Sargent and the contemporary Australian painter Sir Sidney Nolan.

Head of a Gondolier, John Singer Sargent, (1856-1925) / Private Collection / Bridgeman Images
Head of a Gondolier, John Singer Sargent, (1856-1925) / Private Collection / Bridgeman Images
Samson and Delilah (oil on canvas), Artemisia Gentileschi, (1597-c.1651) / Private Collection / Bridgeman Images
Samson and Delilah (oil on canvas), Artemisia Gentileschi, (1597-c.1651) / Private Collection / Bridgeman Images

 

Wilton House, Wiltshire

 

Westcombe House, Blackheath, George Lambert,  (1700-65) / Collection of the Earl of Pembroke, Wilton House, Wilts. / Bridgeman Images
Westcombe House, Blackheath, George Lambert,  (1700-65) / Collection of the Earl of Pembroke, Wilton House, Wilts. / Bridgeman Images

 

Wilton House stands on the site of a 9th century nunnery founded by King Alfred. It was subsequently owned by a 12th century Benedictine abbey, which was surrendered during the Dissolution of the monasteries, to King Henry VIII, who gave them to William Herbert around 1542. The House has remained in the family since that time and is now the home of William Herbert the 18th Earl of Pembroke. This 450-year-old building has attracted visitors from around the world through its history, architecture, art treasures and acres of garden and parkland. The selection of paintings features works by Sir Anthony van Dyck and his studio. 

 

Queen Henrietta Maria, c.1633 (oil on canvas), Anthony van Dyck, (1599-1641) / Collection of the Earl of Pembroke, Wilton House, Wilts. / Bridgeman Images
Queen Henrietta Maria, c.1633 (oil on canvas), Anthony van Dyck, (1599-1641) / Collection of the Earl of Pembroke, Wilton House, Wilts. / Bridgeman Images
Portrait of Rembrandt's Mother (oil on canvas), Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (1606-69) / Collection of the Earl of Pembroke, Wilton House, Wilts. / Bridgeman Images
Portrait of Rembrandt's Mother (oil on canvas), Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (1606-69) / Collection of the Earl of Pembroke, Wilton House, Wilts. / Bridgeman Images

 

Weston Park, Shropshire

 

Lady Florence Bridgeman, Frank Brooks, (1854-1937) / The Weston Park Foundation, Shropshire, UK / Trustees of the Weston Park Foundation / Bridgeman Images

 

The art collection at Weston Park represents the collecting interests of several generations of the Newport and Bridgeman families, encompassing almost every type of fine and decorative art. The house is decorated with the works of renowned artists such as Holbein the Younger and Sir Joshua Reynolds. In the Tapestry Room, the set of French Gobelin tapestries commissioned for Weston by Sir Henry Bridgeman in the 1760’s feature the Love of the Gods and are one of only six sets of this type that were made for British patrons. Alongside this, the collection of ceramics incorporates Chinese and Japanese porcelain.
 

Sir George Carew, Hans Holbein the Younger,  (1497/8-1543) / The Weston Park Foundation, Shropshire, UK / Trustees of the Weston Park Foundation / Bridgeman Images
Sir George Carew, Hans Holbein the Younger,  (1497/8-1543) / The Weston Park Foundation, Shropshire, UK / Trustees of the Weston Park Foundation / Bridgeman Images
Portrait of a gentleman; possibly George Bridges Brudenell, c.1743-92 (oil on canvas), Joshua Reynolds,  (1723-92) / The Weston Park Foundation, Shropshire, UK / Trustees of the Weston Park Foundation / Bridgeman Images
Portrait of a gentleman; possibly George Bridges Brudenell, c.1743-92 (oil on canvas), Joshua Reynolds,  (1723-92) / The Weston Park Foundation, Shropshire, UK / Trustees of the Weston Park Foundation / Bridgeman Images

 

Discover more Historic Houses represented by Bridgeman images:

Arundel Castle, West Sussex
Hatfield House, Hertfordshire
Portland Collection, Welbeck, Nottinghamshire

 


Get in touch with our team, we are always happy to help with your research at no obligation or additional cost. 

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