Highlights of our collection

With such a variety of riches its often hard to pick a favourite piece from Wightwick's collection, but these are just some of the amazing art works on display

Burne Jones painting
Wightwick Manor and Gardens   West Midlands

Love Among the ruins by Edward Burne-Jones

This painting dominates the Great Parlour, although it hasn't always been there. It was transfered from Upton house when Lord Bearsted gave his house and art collection to the National Trust. This is the second version of this subject by Burne-Jones, the original watercolour was damaged during exhibition during his life time so he did a vcopy in oil.

Love Among the ruins by Edward Burne-Jones
Jane 'Jeanie' Elizabeth Hughes, Mrs Nassau John Senior (1828-1877)
Wightwick Manor and Gardens   West Midlands

Jane Hughes by George Frederic Watts

This stunningly beautiful woman, elegantly done justice by Watt's painting is Jane Hughes. A remarkable woman who served as the first female Inspector of Workhouses and Pauper Schools and help National Trust founder Octavia Hill with her social housing work.

Jane Hughes by George Frederic Watts
Jane Morris finely painted by Rosetti and completed by Maddox Brown, purchased by the Manders for Wightwick Manor in 1937
Wightwick Manor and Gardens   West Midlands

Jane Morris By Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Ford Madox Brown

The first Pre-Raphaelite picture the Mander's ever bought has an interesting history. Started by Dante Gabriel Rossetti it shows Jane Morris, however the hair was added by Ford Madox Brown at a later date.

Jane Morris By Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Ford Madox Brown
Effie Ruskin with Foxgloves by John Millais
Wightwick Manor and Gardens   West Midlands

Effie Ruskin with Foxgloves in her hair by John Everett Millais

A small painting with a big story. Painted in Scotland whilst Millais was working on a full length portrait of John Ruskin, Millais and Effie fell in love as he painted many small miniatures of her. Unhappy in her marriage Effie filed for an annulment and married Millais in 1854.

Effie Ruskin with Foxgloves in her hair by John Everett Millais
Evelyn De Morgan's painting of The Mourners about 1917. Wightwick Manor. The unhappy people in their misery...
Wightwick Manor and Gardens   West Midlands

The Mourners by Evelyn De Morgan

The Mourners is one of the many paintings by Evelyn De Morgan inspired by her reaction to the First World War. In this one the grey, dishevelled people of the present mourn the loss of the colourful past. You can see more of her work in our Malthouse Gallery.

The Mourners by Evelyn De Morgan
The Lion drawing by Philip Webb
Wightwick Manor and Gardens   West Midlands

Design for the Lion, Philip Webb

One of four drawings by Philip Webb for the Forest Tapestry by Morris and Co. They origianlly belonged to Laurence Hodson who lived a mile from the Manders at Compton Hall. They came up for auction in 2014 and were purchased to keep a small part of the Hodson collection in Wolverhampton.

Design for the Lion, Philip Webb