Two Gainsborough portraits which haven’t before been shown publicly (at least in living memory), are going on display at Dunster Castle for this season.
The pictures have been in a private collection and are on loan to the charity for the season.
'It’s as if two long lost relatives are returning to the halls of the Luttrell Family,' says John Wood, the House Manager at Dunster Castle.
© National Trust
'The portraits are of the Honourable George Somerville and his daughter on the day of her wedding to Reverend Thomas Fownes.'
The Fownes married into the Luttrell family who had been at Dunster Castle since the beginning of the 15th century. 'In fact it was the union of Margaret Luttrell with Henry Fownes which saved Dunster Castle from the receivers,' says John.
'It’s impossible to be anything but excited by the thought of two Gainsboroughs, especially ones no living member of the public has ever seen,' says Susanna Austin, Dunster Castle’s Curator.
'It was a tradition to acquire portraits of other branches of the family and we feel we are continuing that tradition.'
The portraits which are both oils on canvas in gilt carved wooden frames will be displayed in the grand Dining Room throughout the year alongside the family portraits of Henry and Margaret Fownes Luttrell.
A sticker on the back of the portraits indicates that these were briefly exhibited in 1886, but they haven't been seen outside their private collection since then.
The pair of portraits will be on display to visitors from Saturday March 14, when the Castle opens to visitors for the season.
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