Paintings – Feature Fridays

March 04 2022 | Castle History

The theme for this week’s #FeatureFridays with Historic Houses is paintings.

The Castle, which was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, has on display an impressive collection of Tudor portraits.

Many of these paintings are on display in the Long Gallery, depicting the saga from the Wars of the Roses to the Reformation through the art collection.

Through 18 original portraits hung in dynastic order the story of the Tudors is told starting from Henry VI and ending with Henry VIII.

The only portrait of Prince Arthur, Henry VIII’s older brother, painted in his lifetime is also on display in the Long Gallery.

A rare portrait of Mary Queen of Scots is also on display in the Staircase Gallery.

The Hever work shows Mary in a form of mourning, but not the full mourning seen in earlier portraits.

As well as paintings in the Castle there is also an impressive art collection housed in the 5* bed and breakfast, adjoining the Castle.

The walls of the Astor Wing, which houses 28 bedrooms, are adorned with portraits and paintings.

There are several pieces by impressionist artist Dorothea Sharp, one of owner Mrs Faith Guthrie’s favourite artists. In 2008 Dorothea was the subject of an exhibition at the Castle celebrating the 100th anniversary of its renovation by former owner William Waldorf Astor.

Ballerina Lydia Lopokova is the subject of an unfinished painting in the Astor Wing by Augustus John and you can also see a portrait of Britain’s first female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher by June Mendoza.

Staff take conservation of the art at Hever Castle very seriously and every five years they are assessed by conservator Francis Downing who reports on any needing work and a priority list.

• Guests can stay in the Astor Wing or the Anne Boleyn wing or the 5* gold rated holiday cottage, Medley Court. To find out more or book click here

The Astor Wing is also used for conferences, private parties and weddings.