Hand-Painted Fine Art Reproductions of Famous Paintings

The Bowes Museum originated in a private foundation created between 1862 and 1875 by John & Josephine Bowes. It has a collection of European fine and decorative arts of the period 1400-1875, unrivalled in the North of England and outstanding in Britain. There is particular emphasis on the arts of France including items from the Bowes' home in Paris. Spanish paintings are another specialisation, and there are good collections of Italian and Northern European paintings, English furniture and European ceramics and textiles. There are also collections of archaeological material from County Durham, and social history from Teesdale. The Museum building is essentially a French museum on British soil. A unique characteristic is the location of this large, metropolitan collection in a rural area. The Museum maintains a network of contacts throughout Europe and America.