Stourhead invites visitors to choose next painting

Stourhead, in Wiltshire, is inviting visitors to play an active role in its exhibition The Secret Life of Paintings by helping to choose the next artwork to be investigated as part of the programme’s second phase.

Following the success of the first phase – which asked visitors to question whether you can trust what you see in a painting – Stourhead is now turning its attention to what lies beneath the surface of other works in its collection. For the first time, visitors will be able to vote for the painting they are most curious about, shaping the direction of future research.

Claire Reed, Cultural Heritage Curator at Stourhead, said: “We were amazed by the response to the first phase of The Secret Life of Paintings, and how engaged visitors were in uncovering the stories behind the artworks. This next stage is exciting, as we’re inviting visitors to guide our research by choosing the painting they most want to explore.”

Three paintings have been shortlisted by Stourhead’s volunteers and property staff, each offering compelling possibilities for discovery:

• A Barn with a Still Life of Kitchen Utensils and a Sleeping Cook by David Teniers the Younger and Herman Saftleven. A richly detailed interior scene filled with objects, light effects and hidden narratives, raising questions about symbolism and collaboration between artists.
• Distress by Land, inspired by James Thomson’s poem The Seasons, by Henry Thomson RA (member of the Royal Academy). Set against the dramatic backdrop of Salisbury Plain and featuring Stonehenge, the work connects art, literature and local history while exploring themes of hardship and resilience.
• Triptych of The Adoration of the Magi and Shepherds, with The Annunciation and The Madonna adoring the Christ Child. This colourful religious altarpiece looks to be from another age, an age in which the world and how we understood it seem very different. But who were the people who lived their lives against this backdrop - and how did this painting arrive at Stourhead?

The public vote opens on Monday 15 June and runs until Friday 11 July. Once the winning painting is selected, in house work will begin, delving into the chosen artwork’s history, materials and hidden stories. 

Findings from the research will be revealed in September, offering visitors a chance to discover new insights into the collection. The reveal will be supported by digital engagement and interpretation to integrate the work within the exhibition. 

A special curator talk on The Secret Life of Paintings will take place on Saturday 12 September, offering further insight into the discoveries made through the programme. Tickets for which are available on Stourhead’s website. 

With more than 700 paintings in its collection, Stourhead continues to reveal the rich and sometimes surprising histories hidden within its artworks, encouraging visitors to look closely, question what they see, and embrace curiosity.

More information about Stourhead can be found at: Stourhead | Wiltshire | National Trust