Rare Bosdet painting found in attic graces church for Holy Week

Friday 31 March 2023

A rare painting by famous Jersey artist Henry Thomas Bosdet - which made headlines when documentary-makers stumbled upon it in poor condition in a church attic in England in 2009 - is going on display at St. Saviour's Church this week.

'Christ Crowned with Thorns', which was restored by local artist Ruth Baker-Rolls, will be available to view from Palm Sunday throughout Holy Week.

Bosdet is best-known for creating stained glass windows which adorn many churches throughout the island and all over Britain, and even as distant as the island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Pictured: Cleaning of 'Christ Crowned with Thorns'.

'Christ Crowned with Thorns' is one of the few paintings known to be painted by Bosdet, who was influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite movement and its leader and President of the Royal Academy Sir John Everett Millais.

The painting, approximately six feet high, was found in a very poor condition in the attic of a church in Sunbury-on-Thames.

It has been completely restored at the instigation of, and funded by, the Glass Rainbow Trust and carried out by local restorer, Ruth Baier-Rolls.

Pictured: Some of Mr Bosdet's other work is on display in three panels behind the high altar at St. Saviour's Church.

Trust chairman, Frederick Benest said: “The Glass Rainbow Trust is dedicated to preserving the memory of Henry Thomas Bosdet who was a prolific designer of stained glass windows in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

“He was born in St. Helier in 1856 and in 1883 was appointed Curator of the Life School at the Royal Academy where he sought inspiration from, and was well acquainted with fellow Jerseyman Sir John Everett Millais RA.

"He is buried in St. Saviour’s church cemetery not far from Lillie Langtry, so it is very fitting that one of his most distinctive works can be seen by visitors to the Church which will be open all day throughout Holy Week.”