Walking among the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey in the Museum Gardens is a visual treat. It is easy to see how magnificent this church must have been when it was finished in 1295. What is easy to overlook is behind this arched gate. There in the graveyard of the adjoining St Olave’s Church is the tomb of William Etty. He was a local painter (1787 – 1849) who became famous with his depictions of nudes. The largest collection of his work is exhibited at the York Art Gallery.
