A culturally-inspired look back through our archives

With its stunning landscapes and rich heritage, North Yorkshire has long inspired writers, poets, and artists.

Its rugged dales and coastline have served as the muse for countless creatives. Now, delving into the county’s archives reveals rare artistic gems that showcase its history.

Among these treasures is A New Book of Beasts, an 18th century drawing manual from the Chaloner family, featuring animal illustrations like tigers to inspire budding artists. From John Jackson R.A.'s archives, we find a brochure for the 63rd Royal Academy exhibition in 1839 as well as a portrait of him by the Revd. David McNicholl.

Other highlights include an 1840s watercolour sketch of Moreby flower garden by Henrietta Matilda Crompton and a photo of potter Terry Shone in his Grassington workshop.

The archives also include a 1933 watercolour of Hubberholme from ‘Yorkshire’, a book of paintings by Gordon Home and a 1777 portrait of the Duchess of Devonshire at Buxton by Thomas Orde, 1st Baron Bolton. He enjoyed drawing his friends, relatives and people encountered during his travels in Europe during the 18th century.

These archive pieces offer a peek into North Yorkshire’s enduring artistic legacy, celebrating the creative spirit inspired by its landscapes and communities.

The archive images on this page are among more than 6,500 available at the County Record Office. Browse the collection or buy photos.

If you have any further information about any of the images on this page, our archivists would be keen to hear about it. Please email yny@northyorks.gov.uk

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Self-portrait (no date) by Arthur Bell-Foster

Self-portrait (no date) by Arthur Bell-Foster – a Northallerton-born landscape artist (1901-1978) who loved capturing the Yorkshire Dales. From a small collection of his papers.

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Tigers from an 18th-century drawing manual, ‘A New Book of Beasts’

Tigers from an 18th-century drawing manual, ‘A New Book of Beasts’, which includes various animals to inspire budding artists. From the Chaloner family of Guisborough archive.

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Portrait of John Jackson R.A. of Lastingham

Amongst the manuscripts of John Jackson R.A. of Lastingham is a brochure for the 63rd Royal Academy exhibition in 1839, as well as this portrait of him by Revd. David McNicholl (no date).

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A watercolour sketch of Moreby flower garden (1840) by Henrietta Matilda Crompton

A watercolour sketch of Moreby flower garden (1840) by Henrietta Matilda Crompton, from the archive of the Crompton family of Esholt and Azerley.

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Terry Shone, busy at work in his pottery workshop at Grassington

Terry Shone, busy at work in his pottery workshop at Grassington. He was an art teacher at Upper Wharfdale School. From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.

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Robin Hood’s Bay, from a sketchbook of original pen sketches of Yorkshire scenery (1900-1930) by Mr H M Paterson

Robin Hood’s Bay, from a sketchbook of original pen sketches of Yorkshire scenery (1900-1930) by Mr H M Paterson. 

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Local postman-cum-artist Jim Gott (1897-1980) sketching in Ripon Cathedral

Local postman-cum-artist Jim Gott (1897-1980) sketching in Ripon Cathedral, from a photographic collection created by Ripon Civic Society (mid-20th century).

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Watercolour of Hubberholme from ‘Yorkshire’, a book of paintings by Gordon Home (1933)

Watercolour of Hubberholme from ‘Yorkshire’, a book of paintings by Gordon Home (1933).

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The Duchess of Devonshire at Buxton, 1777, from a sketchbook of English Portraits Volume 2, by Thomas Orde 1st Baron Bolton of Bolton Hall.

The Duchess of Devonshire at Buxton, 1777, from a sketchbook of English Portraits Volume 2, by Thomas Orde 1st Baron Bolton of Bolton Hall. He enjoyed painting and drawing his friends, relatives and people encountered during his travels in Europe during the 18th century.

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Black and white photo of two people looking at artwork in Harrogate

Artwork in Crescent Gardens, Harrogate, during ‘French Week’ in 1959. From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.

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Women viewing artwork display at Crescent Gardens, Harrogate, during ‘French Week’ in 1959

Women viewing artwork display at Crescent Gardens, Harrogate, during ‘French Week’ in 1959. From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.

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 Artwork display at Crescent Gardens, Harrogate, during ‘French Week’ in 1959

Artwork display at Crescent Gardens, Harrogate, during ‘French Week’ in 1959. From the Bertram Unné photographic collection.