The Box was delighted to welcome Sir Gabriele Finaldi, Director of the National Gallery to Plymouth yesterday, to celebrate the unveiling of a new blue commemorative plaque honouring Sir Charles Lock Eastlake (1793-1865). The plaque is located at Hillside Court, Plympton St Mary – the site of the pioneering Victorian art scholar and first director of the National Gallery’s former home ‘Hillside’.
The Box is currently working in partnership with the National Gallery to deliver The Triumph of Art, a nationwide project by artist Jeremy Deller, commissioned by the National Gallery as part of NG200, its Bicentenary celebrations.
Sir Charles Eastlake has been described as 'the alpha and omega' of the Victorian art world. Born in Plymouth on 17 November 1793, he became one of the most influential figures 19th-century British culture, serving as:
- First Director of the National Gallery (1855-1865), transforming its collecting practices, conservation methods, and display standards
- Seventh President of the Royal Academy (1855-1865), following in the footsteps of fellow Devonian Sir Joshua Reynolds
- Secretary of the Fine Arts Commission (1841), overseeing the decoration of the new Houses of Parliament
- Distinguished art scholar, whose 1847 work "Materials for A History of Oil Painting" remains influential today
The site where the plaque has been installed holds special significance as Eastlake inherited the property 'Hillside' (originally named 'St Mary's Hill') from his brother in 1845. According to his wife, despite his demanding official duties, Eastlake devoted considerable attention to improving and ornamenting the property, incorporating Italian design features and personally tending to the gardens with his standing order to ‘plant more hollyhocks.’
Eastlake's local roots run deep. He was baptised at Plymouth's Minster church of St Andrew and attended Plympton Grammar School (where Sir Joshua Reynolds also studied). His artistic talents were first nurtured at Plymouth Grammar School under the Revd Dr John Bidlake, a prominent author, artist and educator.
Sir Gabriele Finaldi paid tribute to Eastlake's legacy: “Sir Charles Eastlake's transformative leadership established the foundational principles that continue to guide the National Gallery 200 years on today. His pioneering approach to collecting, conservation and scholarship created enduring standards for museum practice worldwide. It’s especially appropriate that we commemorate his legacy here in Devon, where his distinguished career began, and where The Box exemplifies the same commitment to accessibility and excellence that defined Eastlake's tenure.
“We are also delighted to collaborate with The Box on The Triumph of Art project, which exemplifies our commitment to fostering meaningful regional partnerships that ensure our national collection reaches communities throughout the UK. This collaboration is particularly significant as we mark our bicentenary year, reinforcing our dedication to connecting all parts of Britain with their shared cultural heritage and underscoring the essential role that outstanding regional institutions play in our ongoing mission to make the nation's artistic heritage available to the widest possible audience."
Victoria Pomery OBE, CEO of The Box, said: "We are thrilled to honour Sir Charles Eastlake's remarkable legacy here in Plymouth, where his extraordinary journey from local student to international art world leader began. His story perfectly embodies our mission to celebrate Plymouth's pivotal role in shaping British culture while making world-class art accessible to all. From Reynolds to Eastlake to the present day, today's plaque unveiling not only commemorates one man's extraordinary achievements but also reinforces Plymouth's position as a city that has always understood the transformative power of art and culture.
“Our partnership with the National Gallery on The Triumph of Art project also demonstrates the power of collaboration in bringing nationally significant stories back to their roots. Eastlake's vision of accessible, excellently curated collections continues to inspire our work today, and it's particularly meaningful that we can share this celebration with Sir Gabriele Finaldi during the National Gallery's bicentenary year. We look forward to continuing our partnership in the future and sharing more of these important stories with communities."
The National Gallery and The Box have enjoyed several collaborations over the years, including an exhibition exploring Eastlake’s early artistic training in Plymouth and his future career as the first director of the National Gallery in 2012, curated by Susanna Avery-Quash. The Box’s collection also holds a batch of Eastlake correspondence, donated by the family of David Robertson, Eastlake’s biographer and the title deeds for Steer’s Park, a property in Plympton that Eastlake purchased from the Earl of Morley.
Eastlake's family contributed significantly to Plymouth's cultural life. His father George helped establish the Proprietary Library (now located on St Barnabas Terrace), one of Plymouth's oldest historic institutions, founded in 1810, and the family also supported aspiring artists including J.M.W. Turner, who stayed with them during his painting expeditions to Devon.
Eastlake was previously honoured with the Freedom of the City in 1832 and a former road in the city centre called Eastlake Walk. Eastlake Street near the Drake Circus shopping centre still remains while another plaque dedicated to him can be found near the site of the old Plympton Grammar School, George Lane, Plympton St Maurice.