Portrait of John Locke acquired by Museum of Somerset in Taunton

The picture of philosopher John Locke is one of two important paintings acquired by the Museum of Somerset.

The image by Sir Godfrey Kneller has been hung in the Making Somerset gallery along with Tristram Hillier's picture The Vale from Cucklington.

Lawyer's-son Locke (1632–1704) was a pre-eminent English philosopher whose radical theories about the relationship of government and the people helped to change the nature of society.

South West Heritage Trust chief executive Tom Mayberry said: “Locke’s influence was immense, including on the founders of the United States.

"He argued that government should be by consent and that some fundamental rights belong to all people.

"It’s probably not too much to claim that he was the most influential person Somerset ever produced.”

Tristram Hillier (1905–1983) established his reputation as one of Britain’s most original artists before the Second World War and from 1943, following a period of war service, lived and worked in Somerset.

He painted many landscapes including ‘The Vale from Cucklington’ which depicts the village church of St Lawrence on the eastern borders of the county.

Mr Mayberry said: "Hillier’s landscapes are displayed in galleries around the world and reflect his surrealist artistic vision. They are often brooding and lonely in mood.

"The painting we’ve acquired is an outstanding example of his work.”

The Locke portrait was acquired with support from the Founder Members of the South West Heritage Trust and other donors, ‘The Vale from Cucklington’ with support from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, the Art Fund and the Friends of the Museum of Somerset.