Discovering Jewish Country Houses: Photographs by Hélène Binet

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This autumn, explore Hélène Binet's evocative photography at Strawberry Hill House. Recognized as one of the world's leading photographers, Binet unveils a captivating collection showcasing the distinctive essence of Jewish country houses, she believes in capturing the "instant" on film.

The exhibition features over 20 works inspired by "The Jewish Country Houses" book, edited by Juliet Carey and Abigail Green. Binet's essays highlight nine houses, two mausoleums, and a synagogue, showcasing their exteriors, gardens, and interiors.

Properties range from Waddesdon Manor's playful historicism and Strawberry Hill House's gothic splendor to Villa Kérylos's Greek inspiration and Villa Tugendhat's modernism. Some are well-known tourist spots; others are hidden gems.

Binet blends architectural vision with lived reality, presenting these places as sites of Jewish memory. She aims to combine the initial dream of the house with its reality, communicating this duality to viewers.

Curator Juliet Carey of Waddesdon Manor praises Binet's ability to recapture a distant world, revealing the identity and material essence of each place. Strawberry Hill Curator Silvia Davoli adds that Binet's refined gaze transports viewers back to when these houses were vibrant homes filled with life and memory.

Tickets are included with general admission from 21 September 2024 to 8 January 2025. General admission 2 for 1 with a Richmond Card