Discover the house and collection at Upton

See the paintings as Lord Bearsted intended 

The paintings cover a considerable range of masterpieces from Bruegel and Guardi to Hogarth and Stubbs, as well as a number of English sporting pictures.

It reflects Walter Samuel's interests in that almost all the pictures at Upton are concerned with human beings and their relationship with each other, as well as with the world around them.  

Rare porcelain 

The porcelain is 18th-century soft-paste Sèvres and Chelsea. Of special historic and artistic interest is the coffee can and saucer, made to royal order for Catherine the Great of Russia and the rare complete 10-figure Chelsea set of Apollo and the Nine Muses. 

A legacy for us all to enjoy 

In the changed world after the Second World War, Walter Samuel, already in failing health, wanted to ensure that the collections and gardens he and his wife had created and loved were kept intact for others to enjoy for ever.

Gifted to the National Trust

He decided to gift Upton House, the garden and the collections to the National Trust. 

His generosity and philanthropy live on today every time visitors come to Upton House and enjoy the artwork he was so passionate about.

 

Tintoretto - The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins 

Jacopo Tintoretto’s The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins is a rare and significant piece of Venetian art, now back on display after a detailed conservation project. Originally purchased by Upton’s former owner Lord Bearsted in 1939, the painting has long been admired for its vibrant colours and dramatic treatment of biblical themes, though it had been obscured over time by yellowed varnish and past restorations. The recent conservation work has revealed new insights into Tintoretto’s early artistic approach, with the painting’s original liveliness and intricate details now more visible than ever. Through various imaging techniques, such as x-ray and infrared reflectography, experts uncovered hidden layers, providing a deeper understanding of Tintoretto’s use of colour and composition. 

In addition to the technical analysis, the conservation revealed fascinating details, such as the absence of scrolls in the Upton House version of the painting, which are present in a similar version held by the Bojmans Museum housed in Rotterdam. It remains uncertain whether this alteration was the artist's choice or the result of later intervention. Furthermore, changes to the balcony design, originally painted as stone but later transformed into cast iron, were also discovered, shedding light on the artist’s evolving creative process. 

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins is now on display in the Sitting Room offering visitors the opportunity to appreciate Tintoretto’s work close up. There is detailed information about the painting’s conservation journey and the artist, and friendly volunteers will also be on hand to answer questions.

 

The Interior of the Church of St. Catherine, Utrecht by Saenredam (1597-1665)

One of the striking pictures on display in the Long Gallery is by Saenredam. He was considered to be the first accurate painter of Dutch church interiors. Mostly painting views of the great whitewashed Gothic churches of Haarlem, where he lived and worked, and Utrecht, to which he paid an extensive visit, drawing all its church interiors in 1636. These churches are often little changed today. His surviving drawings were used as detailed studies for his paintings, often many years later and were frequently inscribed with the exact hour and day they were made.

Saenredam went to considerable trouble in his drawings to depict accurately the spatial lines of perspective, but then subtly modified this in his paintings, for greater effect. The figures, which were often added later, help to give a sense of scale. In the present picture he actually painted out a couple of his own figures on the left (which now that the over paint has become more transparent with time, can even be seen with the naked eye).

After his death, his almost un-peopled church interiors were sometimes felt to be too stark. This one is no exception, and the main figures that we see were probably introduced by Isaak van Nickelen (died 1703), who seems to have been his pupil, and certainly imitated him. In the foreground, two men are kneeling inscribing a stone and at the east end we can make out a preacher with a small congregation. The viewpoint is from the ground giving us the sensation of walking into the church itself.

 

Please note: Upton houses an important collection of art and porcelain and it isn't possible to have all items on display permanently. 

The portrait of the Earl (1709-1783) and Countess of Ely  (d.1821) by Sir Joshua Reynolds usually hangs in the Picture Room. This is currently away for conservation works, and we will share updates when it is due to be back on display.

To find out if a particular room or work is currently on display, on loan or in storage, please contact us before travelling. 

Get in touch

See all the events and activities we have going on inside the house based on the collection and history of Upton. More information and booking can be found under 'Upcoming Events'. 

Drawing Class: Upton House Interiors

20 May, 16, 23 and 30 September 10.45am - 12.45pm, £65 per person. Booking in advance essential. 

Lizzie Bentley leads this fun drawing class amidst the galleries at Upton House and inspired by its world-class collection of European art. Whether you picked up a pencil last week, or you haven't picked up a pencil for years, this class is for everyone. 

Sparkling Evening Talks

Various speakers and dates. Pre booking essential, £28 per person.

Join us for our sparkling talks programme. An exclusive event to meet art historian, Sian Walters and Félix Zorzo, Assistant Curator of European Decorative Arts at National Museums Scotland. 

'From Crete to Toledo: El Greco and his Influences' with art historian Sian Walters. Friday 16 may, 6.30pm - 8pm. 

'Sèvres and more at Upton House' with Join Félix Zorzo, Assistant Curator of European Decorative Arts at National Museums Scotland. Thursday 12 June, 6.30pm - 8pm. 

Writing the Muses: A Creative Writing Workshop

Tuesday 15 July, 10am - 3pm. Pre booking essential, £48 per person. 

Join the former Poet Laureat for Warwick, Cathy Whittaker, and published novelist Connie Ramsay Bott, for a creative writing workshop responding to the Nine Greek Muses, a rare Chelsea porcelain group in Upton's collection.

'Muses and More' - an exhibition by Vivienne Beaumont

19 July - 25 August, 10am - 4.30pm. No pre booking needed. Normal admission applies. 

Explore 'Muses and More', an exhibition by figurative textile artist Vivienne Beaumont celebrating the Nine Muses, the rare 18th-century Chelsea porcelain group in Upton's collection. This exhibition will be taking place in the Squash Court Gallery.