There will be four exhibitions dedicated to the "missing" women who inspired Francisco de Zurbarán's well-known paintings of Jacob and his sons.
A campaign was launched to preserve the biblical portraits in Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, when the property was sold.
The lives of five women connected to Jacob and his sons, according to The Auckland Project, were "largely unrecorded.".
On March 8, International Women's Day, the exhibitions will debut.
Young people have also been involved in developing side projects. Five professional artists were hired to paint life-size portraits of the women.
The ladies being honored are:.
- Two sisters, Leah and Rachel, who were cousins and Jacob's wives.
- Leah, Rachel, their servants, and Zilpah and Bilhah, who might be half-sisters, were Jacob's concubines.
- Leah and Jacob's daughter Dinah.
Up until May 28, Bishop Auckland Town Hall and Auckland Castle will host exhibitions of the works by Jilly Johnston, Lady Kitt, Leanne Pearce, Lizzie Lovejoy, and Edwina Kung.
"It's a privilege to paint a matriarch of the Old Testament and literally paint her back into the history of the Zurbarán series, in the Castle, and into a story where she belongs," said Ms. Johnston, who illustrated Leah.
"We hope that this will inspire viewers to consider other people who accomplish amazing feats, have fascinating backstories, and end up being forgotten about like Leah. ".
Self-portraits created by kids from different youth organizations and schools will be displayed next to the brand-new pieces of art.
Missing Women is an initiative spearheaded by Creative Youth Opportunities, the Auckland Project, and Bishop Auckland Town Hall, and it has been made possible by funding from the Arts Council England, County Durham Community Foundation, and Art Fund.
