A WINCHESTER painting that has recently been restored has been returned to its place at the guildhall.

The Children of the Thirteenth Marquess of Winchester was painted by Thomas Stewardson around 1812 and was returned to its position on Tuesday (March 25).

The 1.89m x 2.34m oil-on-canvas shows the seven children of the 13th Marquess and his wife Anne – John, Charles, Cecilia, Annabella, Frederick, George and William – along with their dog.

Thomas Stewardson (1781-1859) was a Georgian portrait painter who exhibited at the Royal Academy and who counted Princess Caroline and King George III among his sitters. Winchester City Council has two other portraits of the 13th Marquess and his wife by the same artist.

The Children painting was in serious need of repair and conservation and was removed from the guildhall August 5 last year by The Brick House fine art conservation studio.

To bring the picture back to its former glory, layers of dirt and yellowed varnish had to be removed, areas of canvas were strengthened and whole sections of the decorative carved wood frame were replaced.

The treatment also included work to prevent and reduce future deterioration and prolong the lifespan of the painting.