A RARE painting has returned to Lowther Castle after 70 years.

Visitors will be able to see A Concert of Birds by a Pond, by Flemish artist Frans Snyders, when the property reopens on Monday (March 13).

The picture has been carefully reinstated in the castle's newly revamped café, just yards from where it originally hung in the Lowther picture gallery.

It was removed in 1947 as part of one of the largest country house sales to ever happen in Britain. Lowther was stripped bare, with every painting and object put under the hammer, scattering an extraordinary family collection. However, some remarkable objects remained in family hands, including the famous painting by Snyders (1579-1657)

"It is fantastic to see one of Lowther’s most precious artefacts returned to the castle, restored to its former glory," said Jim Lowther. "The painting is Snyders’ most ambitious composition of wild birds; an enormous piece overflowing with wonderful detail. It looks stunning in the new café space and we hope our visitors will enjoy it."

Birds were one of Snyders' favourite themes. He was a keen follower of the Franciscan religious order, with birds being a symbolic representation of St Francis of Assisi. Snyders returned to the theme frequently, and four of these paintings in various forms hang at El Prado in Madrid.

www.lowthercastle.org