Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery recently unveiled a stunning watercolour by contemporary British artist Gerard Stamp.
The Restoration of a Royal Palace (Norwich Castle) depicts the interior of Norwich Castle’s Norman Keep during the early phase of building work for the Royal Palace Reborn project.
Gerard, renowned for his exquisite architectural detail, had long been drawn to historic buildings and their landscapes. His works, often displayed in some of the finest cathedrals, convey a unique atmosphere using light and what Ruskin called the “golden stain of time.” This piece offers a behind-the-scenes view of Norwich Castle Keep during a pivotal moment in its 900-year history.
The Royal Palace Reborn project, funded by a £13m grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, is reinstating the Castle’s original Medieval floors and creating learning spaces across five levels. Gerard visited the site with Dr Tim Pestell in early 2021 and recreated the scene using photographs taken during the visit.
The painting’s composition is dominated by scaffolding poles and bright yellow safety barriers, capturing the modern construction work within the historic Norman building. Gerard simplified the scaffolding and reduced the size of Victorian-era arches to create space for the viewer to see into the picture.
Dr Giorgia Bottinelli, Curator of Historic Art, said, “We are so grateful to Gerard for his fantastic gift. This stunning watercolour uniquely combines past and present, looking forward to a bright future for the Castle.”
The painting is on display in the Rotunda and is set to be relocated to the transformed Keep when it reopens in Spring 2025. Read more about the Castle Project here.
