Lookalike Smiles

There are many artworks that bring smiles to the faces of visitors to The Bowes Museum because they’re portraits with modern day lookalikes.

The first is the famously rediscovered Van Dyck painting (1637) of Olivia Porter who looks like British funny lady Miranda Hart. And, the second is a caricature plaster sculpture from 1834 by Jean-Pierre Danton? The Duke of Gloucester (left), is with his brother-in-law, the Duke of Cumberland exchanging anecdotes while sitting on a bench in the House of Lords. Now close your eyes and think of Despicable Me, the animated box office hit from Universal Studios and Illuminated Entertainment. It’s Gru, the kind hearted villan.

So, if ever you need a reason to smile, you know where to look.