Hyde Hall’s magnificent copy of Samuel F.B. Morse’s Gallery of the Louvre now finds itself in the Drawing Room. We believe that this new location was the original position for the celebrated artwork based on recent evidence. Detective work on several fronts offers both primary source material and physical evidence to support the move. Personal correspondence and newspaper article have come to light detailing George Clarke’s purchase of the painting for his Drawing Room in 1834 from Morse. Two venerable spikes high on the wall in the northwest corner—9 feet apart— match the length of the original painting and provide forensic support to the placement.

Guidebooks to the Samuel F.B. Morse’s Gallery of the Louvre are on sale through our bookshop or at Hyde Hall’s Online Store.