Between 23rd August and 4th October, Rutland County Museum in Oakham will be holding a special exhibition of the works of John Louis Petit, including paintings and drawings of Oakham Castle, All Saints Church and Buttercross. 

The exhibition, which has been put together by the JL Petit Society, will showcase a selection of paintings, focussing on Petit's depictions of the East Midlands, capturing churches, landscapes and historic buildings across Leicestershire, Rutland, Peterborough, Northampton, Lincolnshire and Cambridge. 

During his career, Petit painted thousands of pictures, but his work was never sold. After his death in 1868, his many pieces were passed onto relatives and were discovered a century later in an attic in Surrey, where they were put up for auction and the pieces were scattered across the country. 

Only now is the artistic merit and historical importance of Petit's work recognised, with art critic Andrew Graham-Dixon describing him as 'Britain's lost pre-impressionist.' 

From his home in Litchfield, Petit visited and painted towns and villages across the East Midlands, capturing their unique charm and historic architecture.  

For the first time, fifty of Petit's pieces will be on display together for a public display, touring around the East Midlands, stopping at Rutland County Museum. 

The exhibit will open on 23rd August and will be open to the public during Museum opening times on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm (excludes Bank Holidays).