[MSN] Ireland. Beit paintings returned to rightful resting place

[MSN]

Beit paintings returned to rightful resting place

A six-year wait came to a close this week as a substantial selection of the Beit collection of paintings returned to their rightful home of Russborough House for display.The Beit collection was last exhibited in Russborough in 2002 and was moved to allay fears that the collection could be taken out of West Wicklow once and for all after being the target of a number of gang raid

A six-year wait came to a close this week as a substantial selection of the Beit collection of paintings returned to their rightful home of Russborough House for display.

The Beit collection was last exhibited in Russborough in 2002 and was moved to allay fears that the collection could be taken out of West Wicklow once and for all after being the target of a number of gang raids.

Five paintings worth over €50 million were stolen in 2002, while the late and infamous General' Martin Cahill was responsible for a 1986 theft of the house.

Cllr. Jim Ruttle thinks the return of some of the paintings should help liven up the local tourist market.

The art collection was always meant to remain on display in Blessington so this is great news. It should be a real boost for tourism.

Architecturally, Russborough House is a gem but people really wanted to see the Beit paintings.

The collection and the architecture just perfectly compliment one another.'

Some of the famous works returned include the famous work by Jean-Baptiste Oudry called Indian black buck with two pointers,' and the four paintings by Claude Joseph Vernet have returned to the drawing room at Russborough, the very room that they were actually painted for in the 1750's.

Altogether there are more than 50 paintings from the Beit collection on exhibition around the house.

Many other paintings in the Beit collection currently remain in the National Gallery for restoration work and these might return in future years.

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