The Long Gallery at Hever Castle is a remarkable feature that showcases the rich history of the Tudors through its impressive art collection. Stretching across the entire width of the castle, this 16th-century masterpiece was constructed by Thomas Boleyn, the father of the infamous Anne Boleyn, and served as a space for entertaining guests, taking exercise, and displaying the family’s prized artworks.
The Construction and Purpose of the Hever Castle Long Gallery
The Long Gallery at Hever Castle was built in the 16th century by Thomas Boleyn, Anne Boleyn’s father. This impressive structure extends across the entire width of the castle, making it a truly grand and imposing feature. The gallery was designed to serve multiple purposes, including:
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Entertaining Guests: The Long Gallery provided a spacious and elegant setting for the Boleyn family to host and entertain their guests, allowing them to showcase their wealth and social status.
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Taking Exercise: The long, open space of the gallery was also used by the Boleyn family and their guests for taking exercise, providing a comfortable and private area for walking and socializing.
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Displaying Art Collections: The Long Gallery was the perfect venue for the Boleyn family to display their impressive art collection, which included a range of portraits and other works that told the story of the Tudors.
The Panelling and Ceiling of the Hever Castle Long Gallery
The panelling in the Long Gallery dates back to the 16th century, providing a stunning and authentic backdrop to the art collection. The ceiling, however, is a more recent addition, having been reconstructed in the early 20th century by Nathaniel Hitch, who carefully recreated the Tudor-style design.
The Captivating Art Collection of the Hever Castle Long Gallery
The Long Gallery at Hever Castle features a permanent exhibition that tells the story of the Tudors, from the Wars of the Roses to the Reformation. The exhibition includes 18 original portraits that are hung in dynastic order, allowing visitors to follow the lineage of the Tudor monarchs.
The restoration of the Long Gallery in 2018 has further enhanced the experience for visitors, with innovative lighting, redecoration, and the use of fabric to border the paintings, indicating whether they are from the York, Lancaster, or Tudor families.
The Restoration and Lighting of the Hever Castle Long Gallery
In 2018, the Long Gallery at Hever Castle underwent a major restoration project to better tell the story of the Tudors. This restoration included several key elements:
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Innovative Lighting: The lighting in the Long Gallery was designed by Brilliant Lighting, a Yorkshire-based company. Each painting was individually assessed, and bespoke LED picture lights were created to perfectly and evenly light each canvas, creating a soft and authentic Tudor-era ambiance.
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Redecoration: The walls and other surfaces of the Long Gallery were redecorated to complement the art collection and provide a more immersive experience for visitors.
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Fabric Borders: The use of fabric to border the paintings helps to indicate whether they are from the York, Lancaster, or Tudor families, adding an extra layer of context and storytelling to the exhibition.
The Unique Details of the Hever Castle Long Gallery
The Long Gallery at Hever Castle features several other unique details that enhance the visitor experience:
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Name Plates: The name plates under the portraits were created by former antiques dealer Stephen Burrows, who used antique velum and calligraphy to provide detailed information about the subjects and artists.
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Doge’s Hat: The Long Gallery also features a 17th-century Doge’s hat, which has been carefully restored and displayed in a glass case, lit by Brilliant Lighting to highlight its intricate design.
These details, combined with the impressive art collection and the rich history of the Tudors, make the Long Gallery at Hever Castle a truly captivating and immersive experience for visitors.
References:
– https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/news/long-galleries-tudor-tuesdays-2/
– https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/news/team-of-experts-behind-new-exhibition/
– https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/visit/hever-castle/rooms-exhibitions/