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Oxford replica paintings in new Paddington film

Campion Hall Three paintings of angels wearing the clothes and weapons of Baroque musketeersCampion Hall
The three replicas will be put on display at Campion Hall

It has been revealed that the Peruvian backdrop to the third Paddington film was inspired by somewhere much closer to home.

Paddington in Peru arrived in cinemas on 8 November, and follows the famous bear in the blue duffel coat and red hat as he returns to his home country.

But also featured in the film are three replica paintings based on artworks belonging to Campion Hall in Oxford.

The artworks hang from the walls of the Home for Retired Bears - which the eponymous bear visits in the film to see his Aunt Lucy.

StudioCanal A still of Paddington Bear from the film Paddington in Peru. He is stood amongst ruins on a mountain side. There are two llamas in the backgroundStudioCanal
The third film in the series sees Paddington return to deepest darkest Peru

The original paintings, which feature "really remarkable looking" angels wearing the clothes and weapons of Baroque musketeers, were donated to the hall in 2015.

Hannah Bironzo, from Campion Hall, described them as "really quite incredible and flamboyant".

Fast forward to 2020, and the art team working on Paddington three got in touch with the hall about their "fantastic collection" and wanted to know how to include them in the film, Ms Bironzo told the BBC.

"They chose their three favourite angels and created really beautiful replicas," she said.

StudioCanal Olivia Colman as the Reverend Mother in Paddington in Peru. She is holding a guitar and has two other women also dressed as nuns next to her.StudioCanal
The artworks were displayed at the Home for Retired Bears, which is run in the film by Olivia Coleman's Reverend Mother

It took the team at Marmalade Films - the aptly named production company responsible for the Paddington series - about a year to create the paintings, with the help of the hall's art curator Peter Davidson.

Ms Bironzo said the replicas were "fantastic".

"In this day and age of AI, it's amazing that they have an artist team who have painstakingly copied these paintings - and they are pretty much as good as the originals," she said.

Campion Hall The pack of a painting with the words 'Mrs Brown Cabin set' written on green tape and stuck to the frameCampion Hall
The back of one of the replicas has a clue to where it could be spotted in the film

As for spotting the works in the film, viewers may need eagle-eyes.

"If anyone's watched it, you might be able to see them in the Home for Retired Bears on the walls, although I will just say that it's quite tricky to spot them," Ms Bironzo said.

"You might need some binoculars."

Campion Hall Pale stones with the words Campion Hall carved into themCampion Hall
Campion Hall is home to an extensive art collection

Marmalade Films recently gifted the three replica paintings back to Campion Hall, where they will soon be put on display.

Mr Davidson got a special thanks for his help - receiving an "adorable" postcard of gratitude from the Peruvian Bear himself.

Campion Hall is one of the four permanent private halls of the University of Oxford, and is also home to an extensive art collection.

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