A fascinating visit. The museum is the result of the collecting and planning of one couple, John and Josephine Bowes. Furniture, paintings and other assorted curiosities are housed in a purpose built chateau with magnificent grounds. The showpiece is a swan automaton that plays daily at 2pm.
The paintings reflect the tastes of the collectors. Of most interest was The Tears of St Peter by El Greco, a reflective work depicting a tearful Peter seeking forgiveness for his denial of Christ. Seems this was once a popular theme as it points to the Sacrament of Confession in the Roman Catholic tradition.
Also interesting were two complete altarpieces in good condition. Being familiar with many paintings that started life as parts of such works it was good to see the whole in this setting - they were low enough on the wall to see and unlike those still in churches you can get much closer.
Two further exhibitions, David Hockney's prints and Shafts of Light, brought a contemporary touch to an essentially Victorian experience. The latter, which brings together paintings by and of miners gave a sense of the lives of those who lived and worked in Britain's coalfields. A way of life now largely history itself.
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