A young couple in the English city of York got more than they expected when they had new cabinets installed in their kitchen: Workmen discovered hidden paintings, over 300 years old, during renovations.
Historic artwork adorns the walls of the one-bedroom flat that Luke Budworth, a 29-year-old medical researcher at the University of Leeds, shares with his partner, Hazel Mooney, 26, and their dog Leonard. The couple temporarily moved out as renovations began in December, only to receive a fateful call from the contractors that they had found a painting.
When the two returned home, the new cabinets had already been installed, once again obscuring the works from view. But Budworth suspected there might be something lurking behind the paneling in the living room, on the other side of the fireplace as well.
“I took out my tools and started scraping the board. As soon as I lifted the panel it was there, beautiful colors,” Budworth told the BBCnoting that he initially thought he was looking at Victorian wallpaper.
Luke Budworth found this 17th century mural hidden behind paneling in his home in York. Photo courtesy of Luke Budworth.
He called historic englandwho quickly determined that the paintings were of “national importance”, particularly because domestic wall paintings were rare in York in the 17th century.
“We always knew there was a weird piece of the wall, but we just thought the apartment was really wonky because it’s been a million different things over the years,” said Budworth, who bought the house. house in October 2020. SWNS.
The two painted friezes each measure about nine by four feet and are cut at the top by the ceiling. There is a man in a cage pulled by an angel, and another man in a white cart. The paintings contain scenes from the 1635 book by poet Francis Quarles Emblemsand would date between the year of its publication and around 1700, when the style of the artwork is said to have fallen into disuse.
Luke Budworth found this 17th century mural hidden behind paneling in his home in York. Photo courtesy of Luke Budworth.
This means the artwork actually predates the building itself, a Grade II listed Georgian building from 1747. Budworth lives in York’s historic Micklegate area, within the ancient wall that once protected the city , and his house appears to have been built around an existing wall.
“Finding these 17th century murals in a house in Micklegate, York is fascinating. They were first discovered in 1998 and then covered up,” Historic England said. CNN. “They raise various questions about the age of the buildings in this historic row of houses and about the history of Micklegate itself. Discoveries like this tell us that our historic homes hold many secrets.
The organization took professional photographs of the painting, which they sent to the Wall Paintings Conservation Department at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. He also created a life-size high-resolution replica of the frieze for Budworth and helped cover the artwork to preserve it. He hopes one day to obtain funding for its conservation.
Luke Budworth found this 17th century mural hidden behind paneling in his home in York. Photo courtesy of Luke Budworth.
“I’m very happy to have found them and I love them, but they’re also a bit of a burden,” Budworth told SWNS. “My understanding is that there is no external funding and the conservation costs are in the thousands of pounds.”
For now, the replica will be a focal point of their decor, appreciated for both its artistic and historical value.
“It’s crazy to think this was here before things like the Great Fire of London [in 1666]”, added Budworth. “I hope we can spread the word and see if companies or PhD students want to do experimental conservation projects. I also hope this inspires other people on Micklegate to start watching their own walls with suspicion.
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