24 Hour Museum - official guide to UK museums, galleries, exhibitions and heritage
Gateway to Over 3,000 UK museums, galleries and heritage attractions
Skip to navigation
Dorset County Museum Saves Trio Of George Romney Portraits
By Georgi Gyton
08/04/2008
Image: a portrait of a seated woman
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).
Image: a portrait of a seated man with arms crossed
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.
Image: a portrait of a young man in a frock coat
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.
Dorset County Museum, Dorchester
High West Street, Dorchester, DT1 1XA, Dorset, England
Open: Mon-Sat 1000-1700
Sun Open in July & August Only
Related Articles
Collecting Cultures - HLF Announces Grants For Acquisitions
Archaeologists Unearth Six Skeletons Near Stonehenge
Dorset Dig Awarded Grant To Present 7000 Years Of History
Amesbury Archer Was An Alpine Settler Say Experts
E-news registration
E-mail story to a friend
Tell us what you think
Bodleian Library To Preserve Digital Material For The Future
News In Brief - Museums, Galleries And Heritage News
Couple's Anniversary Celebrated By Newbiggin By The Sea
Newcastle's Roman Burials Will Reveal More Than Just Bones
Enniskillen Castle Keeps Visitors Impressed During Major Refurbishment
Speedway Hero's Story Told By Museum In Manchester
£3 Million To Be Invested In New Museum Research Projects
Longlist Announced For The Second Northern Art Prize
Tullie House Museum Engages Kids With Online Story Writing Project
Mayor And Museum Make Plans For Weston-Super-Mare Pier
Stonehenge Proposals Go On Show At Wiltshire Heritage Museum
Ally Wallace Artist In Residence For Victoria Baths Manchester
Photographer Captures Visitors As The Brontës At Haworth Museum
274 Year Old Fire Engine Given To Museum Of East Anglian Life
Heritage Open Days In Norwich Promise Tours, Towers and Talks
Skomer Island Webcams Reveal Wildlife And Heritage
A New Plant Species Walks - At The Tatton Park Biennial
Summer 2008 Holiday Ideas At UK Heritage Sites And Museums
Search this site
Home Page
News Page
Exhibition Page
What's On
Trails Page
Website of the Week
Letters Page
Welsh Home
Graphical Version
Copyright © 24 Hour Museum
Information published here was believed to be correct at the time it was prepared. Welsh language pages developed with CYMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.