Rosalind Whitehouse

What clients say

Paintings are precious things, and nobody hands one over lightly. These are the words of the people who have — a framer who recommends her, a diocesan adviser, a museum curator, and collectors who come back year after year.

The testimonials from James Halsall, Emma Roodhouse and Nicholas Holloway are reproduced from Rosalind’s ICON professional profile with permission.

In the news

The kingfisher Constable hid for two centuries

Cleaning Constable's The Millstream in public view at Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich, Rosalind uncovered a tiny kingfisher the artist had painted over — a discovery that made the national press. The council's culture portfolio-holder thanked her publicly for bringing the painting back to life.

“We are very excited by the discovery of a kingfisher that had been hidden for two centuries after being painted over by Constable. The Millstream had not been cleaned for 100 years and conservator Ros Whitehouse has also brought the painting back to life. We are grateful for her skill and to the Constable Trust for generously supporting the cleaning.”

Cllr Bryony RudkinCulture portfolio-holder, Ipswich Borough Council

Read the Millstream story

From the trade

A recommendation a framer stands behind

Before trusting a picture to anyone, one new client asked around. Their picture framer — who sees restorers' work day in, day out — sent them straight to Rosalind, with no hesitation.

“Go to Ros, she's the best, you'll be in safe hands.”

A Somerset picture framerRecommending Rosalind to a client, 2026

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Church work

Ten hatchments, one tight timescale

At St Mary's, Kedington, ten historic hatchments had to be conserved while the nave was being redecorated, on a timescale fixed by the project funders. Rosalind planned the conservation to coincide with the building works — and kept the Diocesan Advisory Committee informed throughout.

“Ms Whitehouse’s proposals have been presented in detailed and comprehensive appraisal reports. I have found Ms Whitehouse helpful and approachable if and when additional information was required.”
“A key attribute is Ms Whitehouse’s ability to work with other contractors as at Kedington where the conservation of hatchments had to coincide with a tight timescale to match conditions made by funders and the redecoration of the nave.”

James HalsallDiocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches

Read the hatchment case studies

Museums

Constable portraits, revived and confirmed

Over many years Rosalind has cared for the paintings collections of Colchester and Ipswich Museums, ranging from 15th-century panel paintings to Gainsborough. Her work on two Constable portraits did more than revive them — it helped the museums correctly identify the works as by Constable.

“Over many years Rosalind Whitehouse’s professional input to conserving paintings in Colchester and Ipswich has proved essential. The collections range in date from 15th century panel paintings to the present day and significantly cover the work of Thomas Gainsborough and John Constable.”
“The work carried out on two Constable portraits not only revived those paintings but helped in correctly identifying the works as by Constable. Rosalind’s approach has always been thorough with carefully constructed methodologies that provide a detailed breakdown of the work to be carried out. This was very important in a public funded institution where budgets are tight.”

Emma RoodhouseCurator of paintings, Colchester and Ipswich Museums

See the case studies

Collectors and dealers

Reports before and after — no surprises

Private collectors and dealers send Rosalind pictures year after year. Every job begins with a detailed conservation report and an estimate of costs, and finishes with a treatment report of what was achieved — so the price and the outcome are never a surprise.

“Rosalind has restored pictures for me over many years and I have always been very impressed and pleased with her work. She approaches her work with great professionalism and yet is very approachable and friendly. One is informed before work starts with an extensive conservation report and estimate of costs and this is followed up on completion with a thorough treatment report detailing what has been achieved. Rosalind has restored a great variety of paintings for me over the years and I have always been delighted with the results; I have no hesitation in recommending her.”

Nicholas HollowayCollector and Dealer

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