Stockton museum artwork hidden in attic for years back on display

A 17th Century painting, which remained hidden in an attic for decades before its importance was discovered, is back on display.

The Dice Players was painted around 1650 by French Baroque painter Georges de La Tour. Today, it is the most internationally celebrated artwork on display at Preston Park Museum in Stockton-on-Tees.

It was donated in the 1930s but it took about 40 years before its significance was discovered during a routine check of the collection stored in the museum’s attic.

The painting has since been enjoyed by international audiences and has just returned from a loan to the Jacquemart-André Museum in Paris.