Redisplay for Packard Galleries of British Sporting Art at Palace House

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Taking centre stage in the gallery that once formed King Charles II’s bedroom is a monumental new work by leading contemporary British painter Charles Church.  The painting was commissioned to celebrate modern day hunting in the form of the recently retired huntsman of the Belvoir Hunt, John Holliday, on his horse Edward and with hounds. 



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John Holliday with Charles Church

Two Galleries dedicated to the works of Sir Alfred Munnings

Building on the success of the exhibition and catalogue Sir Alfred Munnings: A Life of his Own The British Sporting Art Trust’s Curator, Katherine Field, has now created two galleries dedicated to him at Palace House.  The display explores his close links with Newmarket and includes works borrowed from the Munnings Art Museum in Dedham alongside works owned by the British Sporting Art Trust and the National Horse Racing Museum.
 
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Twentieth Century Sporting Gallery
 

There is also a new gallery dedicated to other famous twentieth century sporting artists.  After the success of the BSAT exhibition Lionel Edwards: Seen from the Saddle in 2021 there was an exciting opportunity to create a gallery for him and his contemporaries at Palace House.  The 20th century saw rapid urbanization and destruction of the countryside through building and increasingly industrialized farming.  Adherents of country pursuits and associated artists were at the forefront of challenging these trends and sought to preserve the landscape and its people as a reminder of what was in danger of being lost.  The British Sporting Art Trust’s collection is particularly strong in this area and the new display includes recent acquisitions like Peter Beigel’s Full Cry and Gilbert Holiday’s Canal Turn at Aintree with favourites by Cecil Aldin and Lionel Edwards.