Art owners help exhibition that aims to preserve Yorkshire city’s famed skyline

The exhibition is being organised as part of the study to ensure that future major developments in York do not impinge on the glorious views across the city.

The York Civic Trust is overseeing the research, and director Peter Brown has appealed for the owners of paintings to lend their works of art to the exhibition.

The show will be held at Fairfax House between April 1 and August 31 next year and will explore the changing face of the city from the 17th century to the present day.

Mr Brown has been researching the subject for the past year, and he now hopes to borrow about 80 paintings and watercolours for the exhibition.

The earliest painting he has discovered is a distant view of the city by Court painter, Alexander Keirincx, who came to York with Charles 1 in 1639.

Watercolours by the artist Francis Place, who settled in York in the 1680s, are also included, as are the atmospheric studies by the likes of JMW Turner, Thomas Girtin and Scarborough artist JB Carter. The most recent are two modern paintings by York artist, John Langton.

The Trust says that while much of the focus will be on the Minster, they want to encourage an appreciation of the city’s entire streetscape.

Residents and visitors are being asked to submit photos of their favourite – and not-so-favourite – views of York to compile an archive of images to help influence future developments.