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The Holburne Museum was founded in 1882 as Bath’s first art museum with, at its heart, the collection of Sir William Holburne (1793–1874). In 1916 the collection moved to its present location at the top of Great Pulteney Street and in May 2011 an award-winning extension provided space for additional galleries and a garden café. The Holburne is a treasure house of Old Master paintings, portrait miniatures, porcelain, Renaissance bronzes and ceramics, silver, and embroidery. One of the Holburne’s greatest strengths is its collection of works made in the Netherlands during the seventeenth century. Sir William Holburne’s love of Dutch and Flemish paintings, silver and furniture was typical of his time. He had an outstanding collection of small ‘cabinet’ paintings, mainly scenes of everyday life and landscapes inspired by Italy painted by Netherlandish artists, among which Jan Asselyn and Philips Wouwerman. It also boasts two stunning portraits by Nicolaes Pickenoy and Jacob Backer, and is home to the largest holding of works by Pieter Brueghel the Younger in the UK.
The Holburne Museum curatorial team (June 2021)