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Historic 60-foot Sheffield painting restored - VIDEO
AN ARTWORK 155 years old has been restored and unveiled in Sheffield's Furnival Building where it will be seen by the public for the first time in decades.
The 60ft painting, entitled The Minerva Frieze, was designed and created by Sheffield man Godfrey Sykes.
Sykes was one of the forefathers of Sheffield Hallam University and was commissioned to create the frieze for Sheffield's Mechanics Institute in 1854.
The frieze was originally made up of 13 painted panels, 10 of which survived being removed from the wall of the building they were in before it was demolished.
"It's wonderful that whoever requested their removal had the foresight to keep them safe," said university spokesman John Palmer.
"They had to remove them carefully from the wall in much the same way you'd strip wallpaper, by wetting it through and peeling it back slowly."
The painted panels, reminiscent of the Elgin marbles, depict a procession of workers. The panels have remained in the vaults of Sheffield Museums ever since, until they were recently discovered and carefully restored.
"They're back where they belong, ready to be enjoyed by the next generation," John said.
"We would love the people of Sheffield to come and see this stunning work by one of our own unsung creative heroes.
"They're a valuable part of our history as Godfrey Sykes himself learned his trade at the Sheffield School of Design, now a part of Sheffield Hallam University."
Sykes died aged 41 without ever really achieving artistic recognition. His great-great-granddaughter, US author Diana Gabaldon, will be visiting Sheffield for the first time next January to see his works.
They will be exhibited there until March, although John admitted he would like to see them hung permanently.
"We're just thrilled to have Godfrey's work hanging here where it belongs," he added.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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