Soundtrack to history... music helps to tell story of painting

A MARITIME painting by the Dutch artist Ludolf Backhuysen has occupied pride of place in the dining room at Brodsworth Hall in Doncaster for more than 150 years, but only recently has the significance of its dramatic subject matter been identified.

It represents the capture of the English vessel Royal Charles, snatched from a poorly guarded naval dockyard in the Medway while England and Holland were in a period of conflict. The episode is regarded as one of England's worst naval humiliations, made worse because many of the sailors involved were Englishmen who had defected to Holland.

Now the full story of the painting and the incident are being told in two new interactive rooms at the hall, one of which contains a reproduction of the original artwork.

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Pupils from Westbourne School, Sheffield, and Brodsworth Male Voice Choir have recorded music to help with the soundtrack and it is hoped the displays will help visitors to understand the significance of painting, bought for 600 guineas before the house was built in the 1860s.

It is also expected the display will help visitors understand a small slice of English military history which caused King Charles II huge embarrassment as the Dutch used the vessel to entertain overseas visitors.

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