New portrait exhibition at Ightham Mote

A new exhibition centring on the famous Young Lady in White portrait will open on 4th March at Ightham Mote in Kent.

The exhibition Queen of Ightham: An American Interlude will feature the Young Lady in White portrait by painter John Singer Sargent.

The painting is of 17 year old Elsie Palmer, the daughter of General Jackson Palmer who was a famous American railroad engineer and founder of Colorado Springs, and his wife ‘Queen’ Palmer.

It was painted whilst the family rented Ightham Mote in the late 19th century.

The exhibition will also explore ‘Queen’ Palmer’s stay with her daughters at Ightham Mote from 1887-1890, when it became an intellectual hub for the elite of the period, including author Henry James.

The exhibition will run from 4th March until 23rd December.

The portrait is on loan from the Fine Arts Centre in Colorado Springs.

Events at Ightham Mote in 2017

As well as the new exhibition, Ightham Mote will be holding various other events throughout 2017.

There will be a Portrait & Watercolour workshop with artist John Wiltshire, bookable for visitors.

Theatre on the Lawn will take place with Twelfth Night on 3rd June and Peter Pan on 2nd September.

Turn of the Screw with Kate Glassock is another production that will take place and will be a take on author Henry James’s classic novel of the same name.

Other events that will take place include Bowls on the Lawn, Murder at the Mote and the Apple and Orchard Weekend which will take place in September.

More about Ightham Mote

Ightham Mote is a Medieval moated manor house in Kent. The first known owner was Thomas Cawne, a military captain, in 1360.

Visitors to Ightham Mote can explore the manor house, the gardens and the estate.

Groups can book guided tours of the house and can enjoy complimentary talks during their visit.

For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ightham-mote.