A remarkable painting by 16th-century Venetian artist Jacopo Tintoretto has returned to Upton House after undergoing extensive and fascinating conservation work. The rare picture, which has been part of the Bearsted art collection since 1939, is now on display for visitors to admire and explore in detail.

The painting has been meticulously studied and conserved, with the conservation work carried out at the National Trust’s Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio at Knole, Kent.

The project has uncovered previously unseen layers of the artwork, offering new insights into Tintoretto’s early career and creative processes.

The technical analysis revealed new details about the painting’s composition, offering a rare glimpse into the artist’s evolving ideas. Changes were found in the treatment of the balcony and scrolls, which differ from a version of the work held in Rotterdam. These modifications, including the removal of scrolls and alterations to the balcony design, were uncovered using imaging techniques such as x-rays and infra-red.

Paintings by Tintoretto are extremely rare in country house collections as he worked mainly for Venetian clients. He was a dominant figure in supplying large religious paintings for the city’s churches, government buildings and palaces. The majority are still in-situ.

Tintoretto, born Jacopo Robusti in Venice, was a gifted storyteller, famous for his bold use of colour, combined with dramatic compositions, expressive figures and a marked sense of depth. The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins is a testament to his skill.

The painting’s journey to Upton House began in 1939 when it was acquired by Lord Bearstead, a passionate collector of fine art and former owner of Upton House.

The painting was displayed as the focal point of Upton’s Picture Gallery Passage, becoming much admired. Purchased from renowned art dealer and restorer, Horace Buttery, who in a letter to Lord Bearsted referred to it as “an important unrecorded early work” praised its beautiful colours and the narrative as “amusingly treated”.

Over time the painting’s appearance became spoiled by old restorations and layers of yellowish varnish that made this lively and complex scene feel static and flat. Imaging techniques instead reveal vibrant colours, hidden layers, and subtle changes made through the artist’s creative process.

Visitors to Upton House can view The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins as part of the Picture in Focus display in the Sitting Room on the ground floor until early September, at which point it will return to its position in the Picture Gallery Passage on the lower ground floor. 

The newly conserved artwork is accompanied by a wealth of information about the discoveries made during the conservation process, providing a deeper understanding of the painting’s history and significance. 

For more information on visiting Upton House and Gardens and to view the painting in person, please visit the website.