Museum hopes to see Henry VIII portrait restored

A portrait of King Henry VIII is due to be restored by Warwickshire County Council's museum service

A fundraising campaign has been set up to restore a historical portrait of King Henry VIII.

Warwickshire's museum service wants to display the Tudor painting at the Market Hall Museum in Warwick.

It was discovered "hiding in plain sight" when art historian and Sotheby's consultant Dr Adam Busiakiewicz noticed it "by chance" in a photo posted on social media.

The artwork was commissioned by local landowner Ralph Sheldon in the 16th Century and was long thought to have been lost.

Dr Busiakiewicz spotted the painting in the background of a photo posted online by the Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire Tim Cox.

He said the painting had a distinctive arched top which caught his attention, and he arranged to view it in person.

After a closer look, and further research, Dr Busiakiewicz confirmed the portrait was a Sheldon Master, part of a 22-piece portrait collection from the 1590s.

The collection featured portraits of kings, queens and significant figures from the time.

They were commissioned by Ralph Sheldon, along with four tapestry maps, for his home at Weston House near Shipston-on-Stour – but they were sold in 1781 by his descendants and dispersed.

Portraits from the set can now be found in various places, including the National Portrait Gallery, Eton College, Knebworth House and several private collections.

The location of the full set of 22 portraits remains unknown, however.

'Wonderful opportunity'

A spokesperson for Warwickshire Museum Service said they hoped to carry out conservation work on their portrait before putting it on public display.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to bring one of Sheldon's original portraits into Market Hall Museum to sit alongside a portrait of the artist himself and the Sheldon Tapestry, all sited less than 20 miles from where the portraits and tapestry hung at Weston House in the 1570s," said councillor Heather Timms, portfolio holder for culture at the council.

"We are committed to conserving this significant artwork and bringing it to Market Hall Museum, ensuring that this piece of our shared heritage is accessible to all."

Conservation work, reglazing and specialist lighting is expected to cost about £18,000, according to the council.

It is hoped once the work is completed the painting will hang next to a portrait of Ralph Sheldon, by the Sheldon Tapestry Map of Warwickshire, in the museum's gallery.

The museum is open free of charge, and attracts more than 90,000 visitors per year.

Contributions to the fundraising can be made by contacting Market Hall Museum or by visiting in person.