Bespoke picture lighting for a Tudor portrait exhibition at Hever Castle
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Bespoke picture lighting for a unique collection of Tudor portraits at Hever Castle

We’re delighted to have been selected to design bespoke fine art lighting for a new permanent exhibition at Hever Castle in Kent. The Long Gallery exhibition, curated by the eminent historian David Starkey, brings together a unique collection of rare portraits tracing the history of the Tudors from the Wars of the Roses to the Reformation.

Picture lighting for the Long Gallery

The Long Gallery is the most wonderful space with an amazing 16th century ceiling. The chandeliers were turned on for the photo (and it was a staggeringly bright day) but the space is typically very dark, enabling the very subtly lit pictures to really stand out.

Lighting Anne Boleyn

This iconic painting of Anne Boleyn needs to have just enough light to bring out the detail of her dress and jewellery, whilst subtly lighting her very pale skin.

Duncan Leslie – Chief Executive, Hever Castle

“Despite being so unobtrusive the miniature fittings make an enormous difference to the character of the paintings bringing a focus and richness that was simply not evident before.”

Delicate lighting for the portrait of Margaret Beaufort

This exquisite but very high contrast painting again needs very careful treatment.  Without sufficient coverage the intricate detail of the background disappears, but the face and starkly white widow’s head dress needs only a tiny amount of light.

Portrait of Margaret Beaufort at Hever Castle lit with an ArtSpot LED picture light
Portrait of Henry VIII lit with an ArtView LED picture light

Lighting Henry VIII

This richly painted, very famous portrait of Henry VIII looks incredibly sumptuous, with the picture light bringing out the jewels and plush red velvet and fur.  As it’s a larger painting with the subject matter filling the canvas the pcture is lit with an ArtView LED picture light to ensure a very even coverage of light across the large canvas.

Individually lighting four Tudor portraits as a collection

This set of four portraits makes a striking grouping.   They are relatively tall and thin so the beam widths on the miniature picture lights were designed accordingly, to give real focus without light spillage on either side.

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Talk to us about lighting your artwork

Picture lighting and lighting fine artwork is a passion of ours. We can advise on the best lighting approaches for a wide range of artwork styles and sizes. Please give us a call on 01845 525664 or get in touch using the form here.

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Hever Castle

Hever Castle & Gardens

Dating back to the 13th century, Hever Castle was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII and Mother of Elizabeth I. It formed the unlikely backdrop to a sequence of tumultuous events that changed the course of Britain’s history, monarchy and religion.

Find out more about Hever Castle & Gardens

Photography

Photography by Charlotte Gale Photography