FIVE 19th century paintings have been conserved and are now on display in Barnsley.

The Cooper Gallery has announced the unveiling of five paintings from its Fox Collection, a gift from the children of James and Jane Fox in 1934, that have recently been conserved.

The gorgeous paintings, which depict landscapes and still-life, have been conserved by experts and reveal vibrant colours and beautiful details that have been hidden for decades.

The Fox Collection consists of 34 paintings, mostly of the natural world, including flowers, fruit, mountains and streams. The five paintings that have been brought back to life are by Thomas Joseph Banks, Joseph Bernardi, Elizabeth Dawson, George Clare and Frederick Waters Watts, all prominent artists of the 19th century.

As part of the delicate and complex conservation project they have been treated by Critchlow & Kukkonen, who removed layers of surface dirt and old varnish, and by Mike Howden, who conserved the frames.

The work has been funded by the Trustees of the Cooper Gallery through the legacy of Mrs Audrey Norfolk Clark, by Mr Bill Newman in memory of his wife Pat Newman and by the Shaw Lands Trust.

Now on display in the Cooper Gallery for the very first time, visitors can admire the skill and beauty of these 19th century masterpieces and experience them in a whole new way.

Coun Robin Franklin, Cabinet Spokesperson in charge of Regeneration and Culture, said: “We are thrilled to share these five exquisite paintings from the Fox Collection with the public, after they have been conserved to their original glory. The paintings are a testament to the generosity of the Fox family and the talent of the 19th century artists who captured the beauty of nature in their works. We are grateful to the conservators and the donors who made this project possible, and we invite everyone to come and see these stunning masterpieces for themselves.”