Strawberry Hill House & Garden has raised £85,000 to acquire a 18th century painting of the gothic castle.

Painted by Johann Heinrich Müntz (c.1755–58), the work depicts the South East View of Strawberry Hill House.

The acquisition follows discussions initiated at TEFAF Maastricht in 2025, where the painting was exhibited by Thomas Coulborn & Sons, Fine Art Dealers.

Strawberry Hill House said the gallery agreed to offer the work at a specially reduced price and loaned it to Strawberry Hill in February 2026 to support the fundraising campaign.

Commissioned by Horace Walpole, the painting captures his Gothic villa before the addition of the main Cloister, Long Gallery and Round Tower. Müntz was living and working at Strawberry Hill when he painted it, and it is one of only two known oil views of the House by the artist.

Although painted for Walpole, the work was long kept at his London residence on Berkeley Square.

The work has never been hung at Strawberry Hill House where it will be its permanent home.

Dr David Gaimster, Executive Director, said: "Reassembling the collections at Strawberry Hill is a long-term mission for us and opportunities to acquire works so closely connected with Horace Walpole are rare.

Download our Nub News App!

- It’s FREE and available now
- Breaking news notifications
- Your Town in Your Pocket

"This painting strengthens our ability to tell the story of the House in its original landscape setting, opening new opportunities for research and learning."

"We are grateful to everyone who donated, particularly those supporters who matched contributions pound for pound.

Dr Silvia Davoli, Senior Curator, added: "The painting will be the cornerstone of our planned ground-floor orientation space.

"Comparing Müntz's view with the building around them will help visitors recognise how Strawberry Hill evolved, offering an introduction to the architectural choices and imaginative ambition that shaped the house they see today."

READ MORE: 'Twickenham has a huge opportunity' - businesses rally in support of Allianz Stadium concert plans.

We want to provide Twickenham with more and more clickbait-free local news. To do that, we need a loyal newsletter following. Help us survive and sign up for our free weekly newsletter by clicking the link HERE.