The Great British Art Tour: how a French artist gave us plenty to see in Barnard Castle

With public art collections closed we are bringing the art to you, exploring highlights and hidden gems from across the country in partnership with Art UK. Today's pick: Josephine Bowes's Chateau du Barry in the Bowes museum

Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle wouldn't exist without the painter of this work. Josephine Bowes was a French actor with Theatre des Varietes in Paris who captured the heart of the English landowner John Bowes. She was also a talented artist, whose work was chosen to be exhibited at the Paris Salon four times and more than 60 of her works, including landscapes (such as this) and still lifes, can be seen in the museum they founded.

They married in 1852 and John gave Josephine the Chateau du Barry, shown bathed in sunlight in this painting, as a wedding gift. It is suggested that the figure of the lady who can be seen sitting beside the path between the tall trees could even be Josephine herself.