Lord Bath's Murals

The Day Nursery with it's Day Time Mural

The Murals in the Private Apartments, by Lord Bath

I moved into Longleat’s west wing back in 1953, just after my father and mother had divorced. I now live here with my wife Anna, and we have two children, Lenka and Ceawlin.

It was not until 1964 that I painted the first of the murals. After training as an art student, I preferred the idea of spending a lifetime compiling the décor within this extensive suite of rooms, than to seek gallery exhibitions where I might sell my work.

As a result of this approach, I have never been able to establish what the market value of my work might be, but I do have the advantage that it can all be seen in one place. The murals form an extensive sequence within this wing of the house, and might be likened to keyhole glimpses into my psyche. Their subject matter varies between cocoons, therapies and fantasies.

The Disco Room

In some of my rooms where I have painted a mural, the ceilings have been decorated with mosaic panels by my nephew, another Alexander Thynne, whose psychedelic inspiration comes from Morocco, India and Mexico. My purpose is to contribute a feeling of ornate decoration within a 20th-century style to the ceilings within my own private apartments, that will complement the weighty 19th-century décor over on the other side, in a manner that will unify the two wings of the house into an integrated spirit.

For further information please visit www.lordbath.co.uk