A COLLECTION of paintings by influential English artist Maurice Feild will go on display for the first time in 20 years after being found in a cupboard at the Downs School in Colwall.

Feild was an influential art teacher at the Downs from 1928 to 1954 and later at the Slade School of Art, and he was also a close associate of the Euston Road School. Many of his pupils now have paintings hanging in the Tate Gallery.

The paintings were found at the Downs, now Malvern College's prep school, by head Alastair Cook, and the discovery prompted the school to exhibit his work.

E M Feild: An Artistic Legacy will showcase around 30 works depicting local landscapes, portraits of pupils and associates of the school as well as scenes from school life.

Mr Cook said: “I was amazed to find these wonderful works soon after my appointment last year. We were thrilled to discover so many examples of this master – in both senses of the word – and are delighted to be showcasing his work once again in an exhibition that is long overdue. I only hope it rekindles interest in his remarkable legacy to British art, as he deserves.”

Simon Mellor, art teacher at the Downs, said: “After our find, we researched more about this incredible man and discovered that numerous Feild paintings are held in private and public collections, including in the National Portrait Gallery and in the UK Government Art Collection.”

John Feild, the artist’s son, has been contacted and invited to the exhibition as well as many others who were taught by him, knew him or have an association with the school.

The exhibition will be open to the public on Sunday, June 6, between 11am and 5pm.