Paintings from historic art collection to be put on show

Craven Museum and Gallery will be exhibiting most of the Roebuck Collection of pictures at the venue in Skipton.

The 143 works of art in the collection were left by Clement Roebuck, of Langbar, near Bolton Abbey, 23 years ago.

The collection includes work by British artists and some attributed to the 18th century Venetian Italian masters, Michele Marieschi and Francesco Guardi.

Many of the items are in such poor condition that they have never been exhibited.

A recent grant of £3,000 from the Pilgrim Trust has allowed staff at the museum, which is run by Craven Council, to seek expert advice from specialist conservators on what needs to be done to repair and preserve the artworks for future display.

Visitors to the summer exhibition will be able to see pictures from the collection in their current condition, before any conservation takes place.

Children will be able to enjoy a Roebuck jigsaw and interactive exhibits and all visitors will be encouraged to nominate their favourite picture.

It is hoped that the most popular choices will become part of a travelling exhibition that could be shown across the district. Craven Council is seeking donations to help to cover the cost of the conservation of the collection for future generations.

A Craven Council spokesman said: “Any donations towards the conservation of the pictures would be gratefully received from visitors to the exhibition.

“There will also be a donation incentive scheme for anyone who would like to contribute a larger amount.”

In 1988 Clement Roebuck bequeathed his personal art collection to the museum and it was transferred into the permanent care of Craven Council in 2006. .

Roebuck did not consider himself to be an art expert but claimed to have an eye for pictures, particularly for the work of emerging artists.

His intuitive approach resulted in an “individual and varied” collection. Pieces were purchased mainly from London galleries or from the artists themselves.

The exhibition runs from May 18 to September 26.