Thousands of people can now see a portrait of Brighton civic founding father, Sir John Cordy Burrows.
 
Painted in 1859, it shows Sir John, a surgeon, in his role as Mayor, a post he held three times. He was so popular the people successfully petitioned for him to be made a knight. The robes and chain are still worn by current Mayor Ann Norman on ceremonial occasions. The painting caption in Brighton Town Hall also directs people a few yards away to Old Steine where there is a statue of him.
 
Its display is part of a campaign by the newly-formed Civic Awareness Commission in Brighton and Hove, the idea of Councillor Brian Oxley.  The idea is to display interesting and historic items, such as paintings and photographs in public buildings like town halls and the headquarters of Brighton and Hove City Council, King’s House in Grand Avenue.  They are being selected with the help of museum staff from the vast array of treasures in store which never normally see the light of day.
 
The Argus columnist Adam Trimingham, who chairs the commission, said:
“We are a city rich in history with a great many museum items reflecting it.
 
“We aim to get a selection of paintings, photographs, documents and other treasures out of store and put them on display in buildings used by many people each day. The displays will be rotated and extended to keep them fresh and interesting.”