03 Aug 2008

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"219772","attributes":{"class":"media-image mt-image-none","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"480","height":"594","alt":"Bhc2607.jpg"}}]] Charles I (1600-1649) in the style of Sir Anthony van Dyck (BHC2607) One of the most interesting and enjoyable parts of curatorial work is visiting other collections. I am currently working with two colleagues here at the Museum on a major exhibition for 2010, which will mark the 350th anniversary of the Restoration of King Charles II. This involves tracking down all sorts of objects from around Britain and Europe, and has meant numerous visits to museums and galleries, as well as to many private collections. The latter can be the most exciting, as you're never quite sure in advance what you might find - and many stately homes have an impressive amount of 17th-century material, from paintings and furniture to the more intimate objects of daily life that will really help to bring our story to life. Everywhere we go, we are met by curators and collections managers who are eager to help, and Welbeck Abbey in Nottinghamshire is no exception. Long a seat of the Dukes of Portland, it has a fantastic little gallery displaying material associated with a former owner, William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle. Cavendish was tutor to Charles II when he was Prince of Wales, and was thus closely linked to Charles's father, the arrogant and ill-fated Charles I, who was beheaded by Parliament in 1649. Among their exhibits are the silver goblet from which Charles took his final communion and the pearl earring taken from his decapitated head. Both would be ideal for our exhibition - but the next step will be obtaining permissions for loan.