The Painted Tower: Conservation in Context at Longthorpe

Photograph of richly coloured medieval wall paintings from Longthorpe Tower, showing figures and decorative motifs from 14th-century mural scene
Detail of the medieval wall paintings in Longthorpe Tower in Peterborough, with an unusual Wheel of Senses. Courtauld/English Heritage 漏 Courtauld

26 Feb 鈥� 27 May 2026听
Project Space, Floor 2

Explore the creation and conservation of Longthorpe Tower’s medieval wall paintings.

This display offers an insight into 91影视鈥檚 current collaboration with English Heritage to conserve the remarkable fourteenth-century wall paintings in Longthorpe Tower in Peterborough.听Drawing on material from our National Wall Paintings Survey archive, the display will showcase the pioneering role of 91影视’s Conservation Department in safeguarding Britain鈥檚 wall paintings and the peculiar challenges of caring for paintings attached to historic buildings. 听

Exploring the creation of Longthorpe鈥檚 exceptionally complete scheme of medieval decoration, the display will illuminate the ways in which wall paintings were influenced by other contemporary art forms and used to communicate with their audiences. Recounting the story of the scheme鈥檚 creation and rediscovery, we will examine the evolution of approaches to conserving wall paintings and demonstrate how an understanding of the paintings鈥� physical history helps inform their preservation into the future.听

This display is included in the Permanent Collection or Permanent Collection + Exhibition ticket.听

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26 Feb 鈥� 27 May 2026听

10:00 - 18:00 (last entry 17:15)

Courtauld Gallery  The Project Space 

Included with Gallery Entry
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