by Alex Carr (YGS Committee Member) Front View of the Mansion House at York, late 18th / early 19th century by an unknown artist Engraving on paper; YORAG : 2002.10.7 Image courtesy of York Museums Trust York Mansion House – located at the heart of both York’s city centre and civic history – celebrates its 300th anniversary this year. After a period of closure for restoration, the doors have recently reopened. This is not the first occasion that the Mansion House has undergone changes. As the...

by Allison Sharpe Charles Hoyland (1726-1789), 1777-1779 by Martin Ferdinand Quadal (1736-1808) Oil on canvas; YORAG : 1178, purchased 1969 Image courtesy of York Museums Trust Martin Ferdinand Chvatal, aka Quadal (1736-1808, or 1811) is known to have been a prolific, successful and widely-travelled artist. Yet his name has slipped from view, with relatively few works being recorded in museums today. There is a mystery here, as it is believed that many pictures by the artist do  survive,...

by Allison Sharpe John Jackson (1778-1831), Self-Portrait, about 1823 Watercolour and gouache on moderately thick, slightly textured, cream wove paper B1975.4.1699 Image courtesy of Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection One of the most accomplished late Georgian portraitists, John Jackson had strong lifelong Yorkshire links. Born in Lastingham – then a thriving village – in 1778, he was schooled at Nawton. His natural talent, and good fortune in encountering supportive noble...