Strawberry Hill House & Garden has raised £85,000 needed to acquire Johann Heinrich Müntz’s South East View of Strawberry Hill House (c.1755–58), thanks to the generosity of our supporters.
The acquisition follows discussions initiated at TEFAF Maastricht in 2025, where the painting was exhibited by Thomas Coulborn & Sons, Fine Art Dealers. The gallery subsequently agreed to offer the work at a specially reduced price and loaned it to Strawberry Hill in February 2026 to support the fundraising campaign.
Commissioned by Horace Walpole, the painting captures his Gothic villa before the addition of the main Cloister, Long Gallery and Round Tower. Müntz was living and working at Strawberry Hill when he painted it, and it is one of only two known oil views of the House by the artist.
Although painted for Walpole, the work was long kept at his London residence on Berkeley Square. Before its recent arrival at Strawberry Hill, it had never hung in the house it depicts; its acquisition now gives it a permanent home in the place that inspired it.
Dr David Gaimster, Executive Director, said:
“Reassembling the collections at Strawberry Hill is a long-term mission for us and opportunities to acquire works so closely connected with Horace Walpole are rare. This painting strengthens our ability to tell the story of the House in its original landscape setting, opening new opportunities for research and learning.”
We are grateful to everyone who donated, particularly those supporters who matched contributions pound for pound.
Dr Silvia Davoli, Senior Curator, said:
“The painting will be the cornerstone of our planned ground-floor orientation space. Comparing Müntz’s view with the building around them will help visitors recognise how Strawberry Hill evolved, offering an introduction to the architectural choices and imaginative ambition that shaped the house they see today.”
Johann Heinrich Müntz, South East View of Strawberry Hill House, [detail] c.1755–58. Oil on canvas.
Our special thanks go to Thomas Coulborn & Sons, Fine Art Dealers, whose support for this campaign reflects a shared commitment to ensuring works of this importance are kept in public hands. We would also like to thank the Society of Dilettanti Charitable Trust; Christopher and Carole Patey; Jane Wainwright; Sir James Scott and a generous private donor.
