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Baron de Ferrieres’ Collection in Cheltenham

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Celebrate Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum’s inception, and feast your eyes on a selection of 17th Century Dutch works set to adorn the venue’s walls.

See some of Baron de Ferrieres’ collection in Cheltenham.

While Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum may be preparing to close its doors for an anticipated new build, the venue’s very beginning is being celebrated with a special exhibition kicking off on Saturday 18 September 2010.

In 1898 Cheltenham is said to have received an outstanding collection of paintings and £1,000 to open a gallery – donated by the third Baron de Ferrieres, and assembled by his father. Rich in Dutch and Belgian arts of the 17th and 19th centuries, selected works from the collection will be shown at Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum right through until the week before Christmas.

Following in the footsteps of notable collectors of the time, Baron de Ferrieres added some of the best artists of the time to his collection, including Gerrit Dou, Gabriel Metsu and Jan Steen.

From these three artists Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum will be showing Dou, a portrait by Metsu and two interior scenes by Steen, all giving a fascinating insight into 17th-century Dutch life. While other portraits, interiors and stunning flower paintings are included – the most spectacular by Rachel Ruysch.

Sophia Wilson, exhibitions and education manager said: ‘We are extremely lucky to have this fine collection of paintings – when they were given to Cheltenham it was considered one of national importance as few other galleries had such a fine collection of Dutch paintings.

‘Their significance continues to be recognised, and both the Dou self portrait and the Metsu have been lent for prestigious exhibitions, in America, Australia and Holland.’

With many of the works said to possess a timeless quality, their themes and subject matter being as alive today as they were 300 years ago, catch the exhibition for yourself before the Cheltenham venue’s forthcoming closure.

Please note, the dates listed here apply to the opening fortnight of this exhibition only. Full dates for the exhibition are Saturday 18 September to Sunday 19 December 2010.