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1 Minute 1 Work: Dunham Massey, Bird’s-eye View from the South
1 Minute 1 Work: Dunham Massey, Bird’s-eye View from the South
At the end of the 17th century, there was a trend for rich patrons to have their houses and estates painted. This 'Bird's-eye View from the South', of Dunham Massey in Cheshire, is a very fine example of this type of painting by Dutch artist Adriaen van Diest. The painting serves as a 'portrait' of the elegant house, showcasing the patron's wealth, the estate's rich resources and commercial potential.
In this HENI Talk, David Taylor, curator of pictures and sculpture for the National Trust, gives a one-minute introduction to this remarkable 'bird's-eye view'.
Time Period:
17th century
Themes:
David Taylor's expertise lies in 16th and 17th-century portraiture and early modern Scottish art. He also specialises in the work of Sir Peter Lely and female patronage at the court of Charles II. David was previously Senior Curator with the National Galleries of Scotland, joining the National Trust in 2012 as Curator of Pictures and Sculpture, London. He has lectured and published widely in his field and has curated a number of exhibitions on subjects ranging from Enlightenment Scotland to Stanley Spencer.
As one of the National Trust's experts, David is no stranger to the media. Interest in the Rembrandt news story in 2013 saw David sharing his knowledge and excitement with TV, radio and print journalists from the UK and around the world.
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