A German Print Dealer's English Country Estate Blends Art and Rural Life
Bernhard von der Becke, a German print dealer, purchased a 17th-century mansion in Sussex, England, in 1975, drawn to its secluded, pastoral setting. He and his wife Blanka transformed the property into a creative haven, filling it with art, including works by South African-born artist Helena Pritchard, and engaging in woodworking, photography, and painting. The family embraced a bohemian lifestyle on the 22-acre estate, which remained a private retreat until Bernhard's death in 2023. The home reflects their eclectic tastes and artistic pursuits, documented in a recent feature.
Key facts
- Bernhard von der Becke bought a Stuart-style house in Sussex, England, in 1975.
- The estate features artworks by Helena Pritchard and reproductions from Bernhard's print collection.
- Bernhard and Blanka von der Becke led a creative, rural life with activities like woodworking and painting.
- The property includes a 22-acre landscape with outbuildings used as studios and workshops.
- Bernhard von der Becke died in December 2023 at age 92.
Entities
Artists
- Helena Pritchard
- Käthe Kollwitz
Institutions
- A. von der Becke & Sohn
- Albany Arts Communications
Locations
- Sussex, England
- Munich, Germany
- London, UK
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Sussex
- England
- London
- Munich
- Prague
- South Africa