Mrs Rackett. © Dorset County Museum

After over a year of raising funds to save three important portraits, Dorset County Museum has successfully reached their target of £279,749.

The money raised has enabled the purchase of the paintings by the artist George Romney, together with their conservation, display and a full programme of interpretation.

The portraits, which would otherwise have been sold overseas, are of the famous Dorset family, the Racketts, and consist of: Thomas Rackett the Elder (1776), Mrs Thomas Rackett (1776) and Thomas Rackett the Younger (1768).

Thomas Rackett the Elder. © Dorset County Museum

They have a strong connection with the county as Thomas Rackett was rector of Spetisbury, Dorset for 59 years and the paintings have been in the same family for over 100 years.

David Barrie, Director of The Art Fund, which helped with funding for the project, explained: “Together with Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough, Romney’s elegant yet formal portrait style confirmed him as one of the key figures in 18th Century British art.”

Judy Lindsay, Director of Dorset County Museum, added that he was delighted with the campaign to keep the paintings in Dorset: “The paintings will be displayed in Dorset County Museum for future generations to enjoy,” he said.

Thomas Rackett the Younger. © Dorset County Museum

The museum’s efforts culminated this week when it heard it had been successful in attracting a grant of £179,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which was added to the £55,000 grant from The Art Fund. Other monies came from a local fundraising campaign.