'The Favourite' linked to Hanbury Hall, a photo from Worcestershire, England

Photographer's Note

Good Morning Everyone,

This is the important mural on the staircase at Hanbury Hall. It was a difficult place to take a photograph because of the staircase and because the lighting was subdued to protect the mural, ready for restoration.

At Hanbury Hall they are exploring the reign of Queen Anne and its impact on this country retreat in Worcestershire. They are looking particularly at the relationship that Queen Anne had with Sarah Churchill and Abigail Masham. This coincides with the release of the award winning film ‘The Favourite’ which will be shown at one of Hanbury’s outdoor cinema events.

The wall paintings that I have posted shows the scene of Achilles in the Court of Lycomedes. However, in the 18th century they would have had a second meaning.

If you would have visited Hanbury at the time of its completion then you would have instantly recognised the characters on the staircase walls. You would of seen Sarah Churchill in the foreground (Achilles) and then Queen Anne and Abigail Masham to her right.

This political satire was one of the finest examples of Sir James Thornhills work in the form of wall paintings.

Sorry to Rob, I didn't photograph the Dutch artist's work but I hope he will enjoy this.
I have included the details of the wall and ceiling painting as they were so cleverly connected.
I will add a photograph just of the political satire as a workshop.

Have a good day, Bev

tyro, Tue, snunney, Fis2, Miguel82, ikeharel, papagolf21, ChrisJ, alvaraalto, jhm, sacimar, COSTANTINO ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

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tyro (30513) 2019-04-06 2:14

Hello Bev,

WOW!! How wonderful that you were allowed to take photographs in here! Of course, you were not allowed to use flash but that is pretty standard in places like this - though I'm sure in Scotland that photography in general is not allowed in National Trust properties - just in their gardens and so on.

Anyway, your photographs are of amazingly good quality considering what must have been pretty dim lighting and you have chosen perfect viewpoints to show off these remarkable murals to great effect.

Your main photo shows what is a fabulous "trompe l'oeil" effect, so well executed and with two figures seeming to fly in mid air across the cornicing between ceiling and wall!

Two wonderful photographs with excellent details and perfect colours - and a fascinating note to accompany them!

Brilliant!

Kind Regards,

John.

holmertz (96646) 2019-04-06 2:16

Hello Bev,
I have to admit the political satire is a bit beyond me, and possibly to most non-British members, even though I have seen The Favourite. This could have been just any Neo-Antique painting. But it doesn't matter, because the mural is so cleverly made that I am full of admiration of the trompe l'oeil effect, regardless of what the painting is supposed to show. The lack of light means that the quality of the photos is not absolutely perfect, but it is good enough considering the circumstances.
Have a nice weekend,
Gert

Tue (85846) 2019-04-06 2:39

Hello Beverley,
A beautiful photo of the mural inside the palace and a really interesting note about its double meaning. You handled the low lighting skilfully and the colours are appealing and are well-saturated.
Lars

snunney (130967) 2019-04-06 2:58

Hello Bev,
Excellent capture of this fascinating mural in what sound like very difficult circumstances. Very well exposed with perfect rendering of the colours and detailing. Nice Saturday afternoon. Decidedly wet and cool here.

Fis2 (161090) 2019-04-06 3:29

Witaj Bev!
A very interesting mural.
Very impressive picture.
I like colors and light.
Good presentation.
Well done.
Nice weekend.
Krzysztof

Nicou (193806) 2019-04-06 8:48

Hello

quelle peinture murale et vue quel personnages représenté du très grand art et ces tons et couleurs du bleu en fond du rouge au sommet quel cadrage et détail superbe vue.
Bravo et belle soirée
Nciou

jean113 (24825) 2019-04-06 9:03

Hello Beverley, as you say, this was not an easy shot to take, a difficult angle and difficult light. You did extremely well.
The colours seem true to how we would view them if we were there.
Interesting notes.
Regards Jean.

carlo62 (81265) 2019-04-06 9:10

Ciao Bev
Ogni epoca ha espresso la satira in modi diversi, questo era un bel modo di esprimersi, molto teatrale.
Molto bello il collegamento tra soffitto e parete, bella foto nonostante le difficoltà.
Buon we Carlo

papagolf21 (152605) 2019-04-06 9:37

Bonjour, chère Bev,
Superbes fresques murales accompagnés d'éléments en trompe-l'oeil. Le résultat est de toute beauté.
Merci également pour la note très bien rédigée.
Amitiés.
Philippe

kasianowak (16704) 2019-04-06 9:47

Hi Bev
Interesting mural, especially in connection with your note and this little insight in the history of this location. You did a really good job considering the challenging light and space so thank you for sharing!
Best wishes
Kasia

Silvio1953 (211487) 2019-04-06 14:35

Ciao cara Bev, great view of fantastic artwork, wonderful colors, fine details and splendid clarity, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

lousat (133185) 2019-04-07 1:04

Hi Bev,2 useful and interesting pics from Hanbury,your composition are excellents despite the difficult choice of POV and no flash allowed as i can read. Scenes that are a part of old british history,i like it! Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

ChrisJ (165914) 2019-04-07 2:10

Hello Bev,

I'm always happy these days if I am allowed to take photos in a museum or art gallery, even without flash, which I rarely use anyway, with so many places banning all photography outright or charging exorbitant fees. I like the warm cold color contrast between the upper red and lower blue. Tfs!

alvaraalto (42568) 2019-04-07 3:07

Hello Bev,
I am not surprised that this beautiful painting has a link with a successful English costume drama and the image with a political satire also fits in with the British tradition.
Is it true that I see Therera May in the middle of the show with Boris Johnson attacking her from the right? 😉
Despite the difficult circumstances, two beautiful pictures.
Have a good Sunday, groet Rob
Of course you cannot photograph all Dutch paintings, there are too many.

jhm (206453) 2019-04-07 6:03

Hello Bev,

The wall paintings that You have posted shows the scene of Achilles in the Court of Lycomedes, certainly on a very nice way.
Your second picture show us wonderful detailed image.
I like your composition and clear presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a lovely Sunday,
John

sacimar (38173) 2019-04-07 11:29

Hello Bev,

good image of this painting, I like this piece of art and the photo is excellent showing its details, well done,

Best regards,

Sergio

mkamionka (65816) 2019-04-07 12:20

Hi Bev,
great composition with both a wall and painting in it. I actually like the most the guy hanging between the ceiling and the wall. The colors are so vivid that it almost feel as if this one was a person who came alive and was just moving from one painting to another...
Beautiful colors, great quality,
Great reportage,
M

emka (153748) 2019-04-07 14:26

Hello Bev, very interesting note. I showed Hatfield House, where the Favorite was filmed, here we can see Sarah, Queen Anne and Abigail. Beautiful painting and I am not sure what is real and what is painted. Excellent light management in the interior.

KInd regards MAlgo

COSTANTINO (108100) 2019-04-08 10:52

Hello dear Beverley and have a nice time
and a happy new day
impressive capture of this important
mural on the staircase at Hanbury
Hall the lack of lights means
that the quality of the photos
is not absolutely perfect
regards
COSTANTINO

jmdias (107359) 2019-05-01 12:56

bev

this is a kind of surrealism of old times. nice view with the personages flying between the two scenes. excellent quality of image despite the limitations your had.

take care

jorge

LuisGustavoLima (5184) 2019-07-18 19:15

Oi, Bev!

Essas pinturas são muito legais! Parece que os personagens entre as duas pinturas estão caindo da pintura de cima na de baixo! Muito interessante essa "ilusão de ótica". Bom enquadramento.

Bela foto!