Ronnie Wood, 73, the rock maestro exhibits original artworks with all profits going to the NHS

Stone me! At 73, Ronnie Wood the rock maestro shows he’s a bit of an old master, too… as he exhibits his artworks with all profits going to the NHS

The band that made him world famous had one of its biggest hits with Paint It Black.

Thankfully, Ronnie Wood’s upcoming art exhibition is shaping up to be a little more colourful than that song would suggest.

The Rolling Stones guitarist has teamed up with a stately home to unveil a collection of new and never-before-seen artworks – with all the money made from ticket sales to be donated to the NHS.

Art Me Up: Ronnie Wood with the tapestry inspired by the 1968 Beggars Banquet album cover

Rolling Stones Beggar's Banquet album cover (1968). The original photograph was taken by Michael Joseph at Sarum Chase mansion in Hampstead, north London

Rolling Stones Beggar’s Banquet album cover (1968). The original photograph was taken by Michael Joseph at Sarum Chase mansion in Hampstead, north London

The collection at Ashridge House in Hertfordshire includes some of the 73-year-old’s favourite original paintings, sculptures and etchings.

One of the collection’s most notable pieces is a large-scale tapestry which was not made by Wood but is based on one of his paintings – which was in turn inspired by the artwork for the Stones’ 1968 album Beggars Banquet.  

The original photograph was taken by Michael Joseph at Sarum Chase mansion in Hampstead, north London.

The tapestry is one of more than 100 items, and will hang in the entrance of Ashridge House. 

Ronnie Wood in the studio. Wood, who is worth £270million, studied at Ealing Art College and first exhibited his work in 1987 at the San Francisco Art Exchange

Ronnie Wood in the studio. Wood, who is worth £270million, studied at Ealing Art College and first exhibited his work in 1987 at the San Francisco Art Exchange

The exhibition will feature new paintings that Wood created during lockdown including several of his bandmates and other musicians who have influenced him over the years.

One graphite drawing from 2018 captures Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger singing with Keith Richards behind him.

Also on show will be a painting which bears a more than passing resemblance to Picasso’s 1937 masterpiece Guernica. 

The abstract Destruction Of A Civilised Riff depicts Wood and his bandmates with their instruments. 

Picasso's original: Guernica, (oil on canvas), 1937

And Ronnie's version: Destruction Of A Civilised Riff, a self-portrait of Wood and his fellow Rolling Stones

Masterpiece: Guernica (left) by Pablo Picasso depicts the bombing of a Basque town, while Destruction Of A Civilised Riff (right) is a self-portrait of Wood and his fellow Rolling Stones

One graphite drawing from 2018 captures Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger singing with Keith Richards behind him

One graphite drawing from 2018 captures Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger singing with Keith Richards behind him

There will also be a room dedicated to his paintings of Ashridge House and its sprawling grounds.

Wood, who is worth £270million, studied at Ealing Art College and first exhibited his work in 1987 at the San Francisco Art Exchange. 

He recently painted Geri Horner in her famous Union Jack dress and red platform boots – and gave her the painting for her 48th birthday this month.

The exhibition comes after the Stones revealed they had been working on new music during lockdown, with Normal People actor Paul Mescal starring in their latest music video for Scarlet – a previously unreleased 1974 track recorded with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page.

Ronnie Wood x Ashridge House is open to the public from August 21 to 27, with all proceeds going to the NHS.   

The art exhibition 'Ronnie Wood x Ashridge House'  runs from August 21-27 at Ashridge House and includes nearly 100 original artworks by Ronnie Wood, including some painted during lockdown

The art exhibition ‘Ronnie Wood x Ashridge House’  runs from August 21-27 at Ashridge House and includes nearly 100 original artworks by Ronnie Wood, including some painted during lockdown

Storm - Easter Weekend Lockdown, 2020 by Ronnie Wood

Storm – Easter Weekend Lockdown, 2020 by Ronnie Wood