Originally built in 1610, the interiors of The National Trust‘s Ham House are the creation of loyal courtiers William and Catherine Murray, and their daughter Elizabeth, later Duchess of Lauderdale. It was gifted to William Murray by King Charles I in 1626.
The Long Gallery, featuring portraits of family members and friends of historical importance, and we bring to light the intricate nature of the 17th Century artistry and craftsmanship in the paintings and the frames alike.
Portraits by Sir Peter Lely, the studio of Van Dyck and John Wright Russell adorn the walls. Now each painting tells its story brightly and clearly. Our focus extended to the elaborately carved, gilded picture frames in the auricular style – craftsmanship once hidden, now in full view. Two of these frames date from the 1630s, ‘Charles I’ and ‘Henrietta Maria’. Later frames, for instance on the portraits of ‘Elizabeth Murray with a Black Servant’ and ‘Lady Margaret Murray’, ‘Lady Maynard’ are in a similar auricular style with straight sight edges. These frames, also known as Sunderland frames, are distinguished by their irregular sight edges. They take their name from the 2nd Earl of Sunderland who displayed many pictures at his estate Althorp framed in this style.
Due to the ornate nature of the frames, and in order to light them evenly, we lit the frames from below. Our Master Light Round Picture Light, in antique bronze-plated finish, disappears into the oak panelling and perfectly illuminates the full breadth and height of the frame displaying the work, whilst also casting light into the ornate gilding and cornice of the room.
In The Volury Room rich reds and royal blue vibrance is unlocked in the Flemish late-seventeenth century tapestries. This room uses TM Lighting’s ‘Floor Sixty’ finished in antique brass from a discreet position. We were able to light them a distance away from the pieces behind the room stanchions, due to their sheer scale and non-reflective nature. The 98CRI LED ensures colour authenticity and vibrancy.
