A masterpiece will be on display at Whitehaven’s Beacon Museum.
The House of Cards, painted by one of France’s best known artists Jean-Siméon Chardin in 1740-41, is on loan to the harbourside museum from The National Gallery as part of its Masterpiece Tour 2021-23, which offers only three venues outside of London the chance to loan one major work from its collection each year.
Through the partnership, the museum is developing new ways to engage with visitors, community groups and schools.
An artist in residence will be delivering workshops for local voluntary groups and services, which will use a range of creative approaches to develop ideas and aims to break down barriers to accessing culture, and develop a new community exhibition within the museum.
There will be an opportunity for the public to meet the artist in residence, Alexandra Jakob-Whitworth, a painter and interpretative artist based in Cumbria with over 25 years’ experience, on October 29.
The exhibition will also provide local expertly restored historical artwork, storytelling and handling workshops using artefacts from the collection, including toys from the Georgian period, for schools and visitors.
Alan Gillon, learning officer at The Beacon Museum, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to see a painting of national importance rarely seen outside of London.
“Whitehaven is nationally known as a Georgian gem so to have a masterpiece from that era is incredibly exciting.
“We’re really looking forward to working with local groups and services to showcase some of their own artworks that will be created under the guidance of our local resident artist.
“This will allow their friends, family and supporters to come and see their work displayed alongside the historical masterpiece.
“We hope this creates a real sense of pride for those involved, and is part of our drive to ensure art becomes more accessible to our communities.”
The exhibition will run from October 1 until January 23, 2022.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4.30pm and from 11am to 4pm on Sundays. It also opens on Mondays during school holidays.
Cost of entry is £7 adult, £5.50 concessions, £3.50 for under 16s and £17.50 for a family pass (two adults and two children). Annual pass holders can visit free of charge upon production of their valid annual pass.
Visitors will also have the chance to access the exhibition for free on October 22, November 26 and December 31 as part of the museum’s Free Friday events funded by Cumbria County Council.
