William, Earl of Shelburne by Sir Joshua Reynolds
Oil, c1782 This is William Fitzmaurice Petty, Earl of Shelburne (1737-1805). He was elected the Member of Parliament for Wycombe in 1760. Shelburne became Foreign Secretary in 1782. He was Prime Minister briefly between 1782-83, during the final months of the American...
Moses Tryon by Sir Peter Lely
Oil, about 1646 This portrait shows Sir Moses Tryon. His family moved from the Netherlands to London in around 1580 to escape religious persecution. The painting was passed down through Tryon’s family, and was donated by his descendants to the Museum when it was...
The High Street, West Wycombe, looking towards the Pedestal and Branch Wood at Downley, by Walter Stamps
Oil, date unknown The village of West Wycombe has changed very little in the past few centuries. The High Street contains buildings dating from the 1400s, such as the timber-framed Church Loft. The village was owned by the Dashwood family of West Wycombe House until...
Portrait of Joseph Pettifer by Joseph Highmore
Oil, around 1745Â Joseph Pettifer was last in the line of several Pettifers who all became Mayor of High Wycombe. Joseph died at just 19 years of age, before he could become mayor himself. During conservation in 1990, it was discovered the varnish used by the artist...
