Makeover Craze Threatens Last Surviving Treasures Hidden Beneath The Wallpaper
A prominent expert in the field has raised an alarm after a set of Renaissance wall paintings of exceptional quality was uncovered in a farmhouse in Herefordshire. Stephen Rickerby, who serves as an adviser to the Getty Conservation Institute and works closely with English Heritage and the Courtauld Institute, was stunned by the level of detail and artistry present in the works from the late 16th to the early 17th century at Church House Farm in Wellington.
The artwork features a range of images, including a frieze with strapwork cartouches adorned with inscriptions dedicated to both God and the monarch. The Renaissance-style paintings display a fusion of fanciful hybrid beasts, human figures, and foliage that draw inspiration from classical designs.
According to Rickerby, domestic wall painting heritage is currently under threat in the UK. He warned that many such valuable paintings and designs are lost or damaged when homeowners undertake modern renovations to their properties. He stated that the removal and replacement of paneling effectively wipes out any pre-existing wall decorations, particularly when they are in poor condition, often resulting in the destruction of the artwork.
Rickerby explained that most people do not realise that even modest houses from the 16th century could be decked out with this kind of décor, typically created by artisans. This discovery is exceptional because it exhibits a more intricate design and artistry of a quality not typical of that period.
The uncovering of such original artwork was unexpected for John Stevenson, the general practitioner (GP) owner, and his farmer husband Ben Andrews. The artwork was located on three walls, and it is presumed the scheme was likely to have once covered the entire bedroom.
The wall paintings are painted on panels filled with wattle and daub. A lime-hair plaster was then used to provide a good painting surface. Speaking of the discovery, Rickerby noted that one of the most spectacular finds was the rich red shade used as a background for one of the paintings.
Although the paintings were discovered in 2018, the full scheme of paintings has taken some time to uncover, consult with historians, including specialists from Historic England, and plan the artwork’s conservation. The COVID-19 lockdown has slowed their application for a grant from the Heritage Lotteries Fund, which could provide up to £20,000 for painting restoration.
Stevenson illustrates the complexity of living with a heritage artifact in your home: "How do you live with something that normally would be in a museum but is actually part of the fabric of your home?" Despite the challenges surrounding living with an item of significant historical value, Stevenson said the experience of looking at a figure painted 400 years ago with the same view and light as when it was first painted was "transporting."
