A SCHOOL has opened its treasury to the public for an exclusive watercolours exhibition.
Winchester College’s current exhibition Views of Nature features some never exhibited before pieces, dating back as early as the 16th Century.
The exhibition is open to the public at the Treasury, accessible through the Porter’s Lodge on College Street, every day from 2 until 4pm until March 31.
On Friday, February 3 the exhibition team welcomed college pupils and staff to a private viewing of the 35 watercolours which were picked from a collection of 500.
Keeper of collections Dr Richard Foster said: “We had to choose the pieces we thought were the most interesting. After that, we spent time researching the works of art on display, who they’re by and checking with experts.
“We’ve had lots of visitors. On one Saturday afternoon we had as many as 70, which is impressive for two hours.”
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Museum manager Suzanne Ceiriog-Hughes said: “It’s very important that we share our treasures with the local community and further afield. This is the largest exhibition of watercolours we have had for more than 50 years.
“My favourite piece is one from the 16th century, it’s very rare, one of the earliest watercolour painting of the English landscape and captures a wonderful moment.”
The free exhibition opened on January 12. The treasury, which opened in 2016, has some items on permanent display alongside the venue’s rolling exhibition like Views of Nature.
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Dr Foster added: “We thought we had some important and interesting collections and thought it would be good if people could see them. Some of the collections are in use around the college such as oil painting in the hall. Meanwhile, the watercolours are held in a picture store with some of the pieces on display having been never exhibited before.”
An illustrated catalogue of the exhibition, with essays about each of the pieces on display is available to purchase from the museum.
The majority of the pieces in the collection were donated to the school by former students.
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