Resumen de The picture collecting of Lord Northwick: Part I

Oliver Bradbury, Nicholas Penny

• One hundred and fifty years ago citizens of and visitors to Cheltenham enjoyed free access to a distinguished collection of old master paintings larger in size and scope than the national collection in Trafalgar Square.' The edition of Hours in the Picture Gallery of Thirlestaine House published in 1858, a year before the death of its ownerJohn Rushout, the second Baron Northwick (1769-1859; Fig.23), listed over nine hundred paintings in that house, then a short walk from the town centre.' There were in addition over five hundred paintings at Lord Northwick's family seat, Northwick Park in Worcestershire (now Gloucestershire; Fig.25), which was also, if less easily, accessible to the public. But the size of these collections is less remarkable than the catholicity, and at times daring novelty of taste that characterised them.