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History of Art Society: Visit to West Wycombe Park

On Sunday the 6th of November the History of Art Society was invited to visit the beautiful 18th century country house West Wycombe Park. The Dashwood family, which built it and also remodelled the grounds between 1740 and 1790 still live in the house and Lady Dashwood very kindly gave up two hours of her morning to show us round in person. The architecture is a fascinating blend of Palladian and Neo-Classical, and the contents include some magnificent paintings, tapestries and busts as well as much of the original furniture, standing today in the rooms for which it was commissioned. The park too has a wealth of beautiful features, including the lake and several classical temples, including a playful neo-Gothic boathouse. It was a most successful visit and the Society is very grateful to the Dashwood family for their kindness in inviting us there even though the house is closed to the public at this time of the year.

J.D.H.