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Picasso and Whistler works among treasures on display at Renishaw
VISITORS to Renishaw Hall have the chance to view art treasures by Picasso, Whistler and Wyndham Lewis as the country house opens its rooms to the public for the first time.
Renishaw Hall dates from 1625 and has been the home of the Sitwell family for over 400 years.
Noted art collectors, generations of Sitwells have brought paintings, furniture and china to the home over the centuries.
Until now, only large groups were able to book private tours of the hall itself, but the public now has the opportunity to wander round the rooms and take in the art collection.
An exhibition has been set up in the hall's gallery, based in the courtyard, featuring some of the collections of Sir Osbert Sitwell.
The Sitwells, including Osbert's brother Sacheverell and sister Edith, were patrons of the arts and were stars of the artistic and literary world at the beginning of the 20th century.
The hall now belongs to Alexandra Hayward, who inherited the house after her father, Sir Reresby Sitwell, died last year.
Many of the items in the exhibition have never been on show, including a drawing by Pablo Picasso and artworks by Wyndham Lewis and Rex Whistler.
Visitors can also pore over manuscripts by First World War poet Wilfred Owen and writer Dylan Thomas, and see pictures by society photographer Cecil Beaton.
Organiser Timothy Morgan-Owen said the exhibition tries to offer an "eclectic mix" of items from Sir Osbert's collection.
"The collections seen in the exhibition were either given to him by his artist friends or protgs, or bought by Osbert from other artists.
"It is an incredible collection, and we are delighted to show many works which have not been seen by the public before."
Visitors can also stroll around Renishaw Hall's expansive grounds, including an Italianate garden. Previously, the gardens were the only part of the hall open to the public.
The house isn't without its eccentricities - an armoured figure guarding the entrance sports glasses that someone left behind 30 years ago, while a classical bust wears a summer or winter hat - depending on the season.
"The Sitwells are always doing the mad and quirky," Timothy joked.
The hall ran tours last Christmas as the rooms and corridors were festooned with festive decorations, which proved so popular it was decided to offer tours to the public when the gardens are open. Tours will take place every Friday at 2.30pm until September 24.
The exhibition is open from Thursdays to Sundays, and on bank holidays, from 10.30am to 4pm until September 26.
For more information call 01246 432 310.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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