Bomb damage during WWII at Dulwich Picture Gallery

Hell’s Bells tells the story of the Dulwich Picture Gallery in WW2 and Bell House’s role in the restoration of the pictures by Dr Johannes Hell.

The extraordinary story of the fate of Dulwich Picture Gallery and its world class collection of Old Master paintings during WW2 has never been fully told before. Nor has the account of the restoration of the paintings by Dr Johannes Hell, an expert on Rembrandt, which was undertaken between 1945-47, when Bell House played a key role in bringing the pictures back to Dulwich.

Brian Green will also talk about the rebuilding of the Gallery and the role of Sir Gerald Kelly, President of the Royal Academy as a champion of Dr Hell's work while at the same time he was decrying the radical methods used at the time at the National Gallery.

About the speaker

Local historian and author Brian Green has lived in Dulwich since he was four years old and he runs the family business, the Art Stationers and toy shop in Dulwich Village. He has been researching Dulwich’s history and leading walks, talks and classes in local schools for many years and is the author of a number of books on Dulwich. He also edits the Dulwich Society Journal.  An active member of the local community, he retired from supervising the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award when his first candidate became a grandfather.

The cost of a ticket is £5. Half price tickets available to under 30s and bursary tickets available by emailing [email protected] 

This talk is online and is the same in-person talk at Bell House on 18th May 2022.