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Sep 18, 2019 20 tweets 5 min read Read on X
Have a burning question you'd like to #AskACurator? 🤔 Today is the day!

Our Assistant Curator Sileas Wood will be here from 11am-12pm to answer anything you'd like to know about UK Parliament's art collections, so get your questions in now 🖼️➡️ Image
💬Why does Parliament have curators? ❓
UK Parliament holds important historic collections that have built up over centuries. We have a duty of care for these objects and our professionals ensure they are preserved for future generations. The first curator was appointed in 1853, and there have been curators ever since.
💬 What collections does Parliament hold? ❓
Our collections provide a unique perspective on the events that have shaped modern Britain.

The Parliamentary Art Collection contains 10,000 works of art in a wide variety of media, from oil paintings to digital video 🖼️📹
💬 What is the oldest object in the Parliamentary Art Collection?❓
The oldest objects in the collection are the statues of medieval kings. These were commissioned by King Richard II in 1385 as part of his remodelling of Westminster Hall (originally completed by King William II in 1099).

Copyright: UK Parliament Image
They were once brightly coloured with rich paintwork and gilding, but this has worn away over the years to reveal the stone carving beneath.

At over 600 years old, they are by far the oldest artworks in the collection! 👑
💬 What is the strangest object in the Parliamentary Art Collection? ❓
I think one of the strangest is an optical illusion portrait which shows 3 different portraits, depending on which angle you view it from.

It’s formed of three prints, two of which have been glued back to back and cut into strips and fixed vertically in front of the other.
By changing the viewing angle, you can flip between the different portraits – this one shows portraits of Benjamin Disraeli, Lord Salisbury and Sir Stafford Northcote.

Image credit: Portrait of Disraeli, Salisbury and Stafford Northcote, WOA 6297 © Parliamentary Art Collection Image
💬 What is your favourite object in the Parliamentary Art Collection? ❓
It’s hard to pick just one! I think I’d have to choose the set of four mosaics in Central Lobby which show the four patron saints of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

They’re high up so visitors might not see them when they first enter the Lobby, but they are beautiful!
Sir Edward John Poynter created the mosaics of St George and St David, and St Andrew at St Patrick were made by Robert Anning Bell.

Saint George WOA 4257; Saint David WOA 4255; Saint Andrew WOA 4256; Saint Patrick WOA 4254. © Parliamentary Art Collection Image
💬 What’s your favourite sculpture or statue in the collection? ❓
Of all the sculptural works in Parliament ‘New Dawn’ is my personal favourite.

It’s a contemporary sculpture by Mary Branson made from metal and illuminated glass, and it commemorates the long campaign that led to some women gaining the vote in 1918, and all women in 1928.
The illuminated coloured glass disks change over time and the sequence is linked to the tidal River Thames running past the Houses of Parliament.

‘New Dawn’ by Mary Branson, WOA S753
© Parliamentary Art Collection, UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor Image
💬 Can I come and visit the collection? ❓
Many items from the collections can be viewed by visitors on tours along the visitor route, which you can also explore on the virtual tour of Parliament: parliament.uk/visiting/virtu… 💻📱
There are also specialist tours that look at the art and architecture in the @UKHouseofLords and the collection of contemporary portraits in Portcullis House 🖼️

See here for more information on how to visit ➡️parliament.uk/visit

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More from @UKParliament

Nov 14, 2023
Can you guess what this Parliamentary object is 🔎? #UpClose

Submit your guess ⬇️ A close up photo of round wooden objects with numbers engraved on them.
🤔
...let's have a look #UpClose at the ballot which is drawn at the start of every session in Parliament for Private Members' Bills.

This is a proposed change in the law that is suggested by an MP who isn't a government minister. The balls for the Private Members' Bill ballot are drawn from a glass bowl by the clerk. One ball is being handed to the Deputy Speaker.
Read 5 tweets
Oct 2, 2020
Are you a university student or graduate planning your first career steps? 👩🏽‍🎓👨🏿‍🎓

The UK Parliament Fast Stream programme for 2021 is now open.

Apply now, and in a year you could start your placement in the @HouseofCommons or @UKHouseofLords.
Looking for a different role at @UKParliament?

We're #hiring a Head of #Conservation #Architecture who can
📐 oversee the strategy for building conservation
🏗️ keep the programme of conservation works up to date
😃 be a great team leader

Apply now 👉🏽 housesofparliament.tal.net/vx/lang-en-GB/… Head of Conservation Architecture.   £63,716+, 30 days' ann
We're also #hiring a Principal Doorkeeper who can:

🚪 lead a busy team of 22 Doorkeepers
👑 ensure the smooth running of ceremonial events
🔑 remain calm and prioritise in a fast-paced environment

Apply now 👉🏿 housesofparliament.tal.net/vx/lang-en-GB/… Principal Doorkeeper.   £38,625+, 30 days' annual leave, Ci
Read 4 tweets
Sep 24, 2020
📢 Calling all university students and graduates!

Today we're opening the UK Parliament Fast Stream programme for 2021.

Apply now, and in a year you could start your placement in the @HouseofCommons or @UKHouseofLords. The Parliament Fast Stream ...
As a Fast Streamer here, you’ll work with politicians from all parties to scrutinise Government policy and support the UK’s democratic process.

You might manage evidence sessions for a select committee inquiry, or work in the Chambers assisting in the passage of legislation.
It's a challenging role, but you'll be supported every step of the way. And you'll earn £27-30k while you're on the programme.

The Fast Stream is open for applications now. Find out more ⬇️

faststream.gov.uk/houses-of-parl…
Read 5 tweets
Sep 18, 2020
Recently we've shared the people, stories, and secret histories behind 150 years of the Palace of Westminster. See what you've learned in our quiz! ⬇️

(🤫 Psst: No one sees your choices, so don't worry about getting it wrong! We'll be back with answers later.)

#Westminster150
1. Which duo built the Palace of Westminster 150 years ago?
2. How was the Great Fire of 1834 started?
Read 13 tweets
Sep 16, 2020
Today is #AskACurator Day, and we have 3 specialist curators answering your questions on our Parliamentary Art, Historic Furniture and Architectural Fabric Collections! 🖼️🚪🪑

Let's hear your questions and their answers ⏬
First over to our Parliamentary Art expert Melanie 🎨🖼️✏️

💬 "How many works are hidden away in storage? Do they get put on display in rotation?" ❓

80% of our 9,000 artworks are on display - a high percentage compared to many museums. We do rotate the works on display - some are fragile and can only be displayed for short periods. A range of artworks on disp...
Read 19 tweets
Sep 15, 2020
Today is International Day of Democracy 2020 🎉🗳️🗣️ #DemocracyDay2020 #DemocracyDay

Here are five ways you can get your voice heard with UK Parliament ⬇️
1. You can create an e-petition or sign an existing one 📝

Petitions with 10k signatures receive a formal reply from the Government. Those with over 100k signatures are considered for a debate in Parliament.

Search for the issues that matter to you:
petition.parliament.uk
2. You can contact your MP about a cause you feel strongly about 📨

Your MP represents you in the @HouseofCommons whether or not you voted for them. They can ask questions or discuss issues in a debate.

Find your MP by entering your postcode
members.parliament.uk/findyourmp
Read 7 tweets

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