Painting shows panorama of town in 1630s
A rare 17th century oil painting showing how Shrewsbury looked nearly 400 years ago is to go on show in the town. The large oil painting, painted in the 1630s, is the earliest known panoramic view of the town.
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A rare 17th century oil painting showing how Shrewsbury looked nearly 400 years ago is to go on show in the town.
The large oil painting, painted in the 1630s, is the earliest known panoramic view of the town.
It shows a view towards the town from the site of the old Gay Meadow football stadium along the River Severn and features Tudor houses huddling around familiar landmarks such as the old Shrewsbury School - now Shrewsbury Library - and an intact Old St Chad's, which collapsed in 1788.
It will go on show in an exhibition at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, which will run from March 18 to May 9.
The painting has been donated by the Roberts family in memory of Marion Roberts, former county archivist of Shropshire Record Office.
Councillor Steve Charmley, cabinet member for culture and leisure services at Shropshire Council, said: "I am delighted that Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery have been given such an iconic and rare painting.
"I'm sure the residents of Shrewsbury will be very proud and fascinated by this important historic artefact."
The exhibition will also feature two interactive mobile phone experiments designed to help visitors understand and interpret what they can see in the 1630s panorama.
