AN OIL painting described as ‘an important part of Bromsgrove history’ has now taken pride of place in the town’s Norton Collection Museum, three years after it was created.
The piece, inspired by 16th century prints of Birmingham, was painted by Malcolm Brookes back in 2014 after he took photographs and drew sketches of the area at ground level before going on Google Earth to see what it looked like from above.
He said while walking into town one day he realised there was one particular view he had not captured and set about creating the image of it.
That year Malcolm had a collection of his paintings, which all celebrate Bromsgrove, on display at Artrix but since then the picture had been gathering dust in his studio.
Then last month he decided to include it in his collection for the Bromsgrove Art Society’s annual exhibition at All Saints Church.
Dennis Norton, who owns the museum, did not think he would be able to get to the exhibition this year because he and his wife were moving house and did not have time.
But on the last day of the show he decided to pop down and fell in love with Malcolm’s painting as soon as he saw it.
He said: “It is a super piece which covers a large part of the town and when I saw it I absolutely loved it but the price was £560.
“I asked him if we could come to some arrangement and he agreed to let us have it for the commission fee which was £90.
“He said he would be proud to have it hanging in the museum and we have found the perfect spot for it.
“To me it’s an important piece of local history because some of the buildings on the picture may not be there in the future. Two of them have already gone.”
Malcolm said: “I was very pleased when Dennis approached me.
“It had been hung in Artrix but after that it was lying around in my studio.
“It is a very big picture, so I don’t think there are many people who would have the room for it so when
Dennis asked about it for the museum. I thought it would be the best place for it.
“I haven’t yet had chance to visit the new museum so with my picture in there, it’s a must now.”
He added he hoped to take his grandsons to the venue to give them an insight into the town’s history and, of course, to see his picture.
The Norton Collection Museum is open from 10am to 4pm on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and bank holiday Mondays.
