If you haven’t caught up on my previous posts of Chatsworth, you can do so here.
The next stop as a small, dark space. Created in 2012 with the purpose of using as an exhibition room, it showcases a selection of the 3000 drawings and paintings predominantly collected by the 2nd and 3rd Duke. The space mimics the curiosity cabinets that first came into fashion through the 16th and 17th centuries. They typically held art collections and treasured items. The Duke and Duchess now use this space to display some of the art they have collected alongside that from the generations before.
Among some of the revolving pieces that are displayed here are names such as Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Sir Peter Reubens, Matisse, Rembrandt van Rijn, Picasso, as well as many others. It displays a wide array of sketches, portraits, sculptures, furniture pieces, ceramics and even 17th century ivories.
When we visited we saw the Portrait of an old man by Rembrandt, dated 1651. We also saw Picasso infront of the Moulin Rouge by Pablo Picasso, a double-sided sketch. Among some of the other works on display were: Portrait of d’Hélène Galitzine by Henri Matisse 1936, One of Braques illustrations to Hesiod’s Theogony by George Braque 1932, and then there’s my favourite Tête de femme by Pablo Picasso (January 1905) published 1913.
Sketch Galleries
As I mentioned before, we were both really flagging by this point so while I stopped and read a lot about this area of the house – I didn’t get that many photos which is a shame as I did really love the South Sketch Gallery. Heavily influenced by the style of the 5th Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, it includes portraits by the likes of Pompeo Batoni (1708-1787) and Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792), alongside neoclassical furniture; including furniture by David Roentgen (1723-1807) who was known for his mechanical furniture which opens to reveal multiple compartments.
Off one of the gallery halls, was a room where the Enignum bed features which was quite something to behold. All my photos came out quite off as the light of the window and the darkness of the walls and ceiling were a bit too much of a contrast to truly capture. The walls and the ceiling are painted classically by James Thornhill in 1707 and contrasted by this contemporary sculpture; almost looking like a piece of ribbon twirling from the ceiling.
While this post was a bit shorter, I hope you still enjoyed it. As you can tell, from the lack of photos and information – we were really flagging at this point. I think we both completely underestimated how big the house was and really need to rest and re-energise at this point. Stay tuned for more.
Cheerio for now!
*If you haven’t the previous posts on Chatsworth House, you can check those out here.
withsomejam 