Artists support campaign to save Scotland's Titian paintings
The campaign to save two Titian masterpieces received a boost yesterday after 60 of Britain's leading artists called for them to be saved for the nation and a leading arts organisation donated £1m to the cause.
Diana and Actaeon, considered one of the greatest paintings in private ownership, and its sister painting, Diana and Callisto, have been on public view in the National Gallery of Scotland as part of the Bridgewater collection since 1945 under a loan agreement.
But the decision by their owner, the Duke of Sutherland, to sell them has led to fears that a sale on the open market could see the 16th-century paintings leave the country.
He has offered first refusal to the National Galleries in London and Edinburgh for £100m - less than half their market value - which would allow the duke to take advantage of tax benefits. The galleries have until December 31 to raise £50m for Diana and Actaeon, which will also buy four more years to raise further funds for the second painting.
The letter to the Times yesterday, signed by 60 renowned artists including Lucian Freud, David Hockney, Sir Peter Blake, Antony Gormley and Paula Rego, said: "We applaud the partnership formed by the National Galleries of Scotland and the National Gallery in London in an effort to acquire the two pictures...
Read entire article at Guardian (UK)
Diana and Actaeon, considered one of the greatest paintings in private ownership, and its sister painting, Diana and Callisto, have been on public view in the National Gallery of Scotland as part of the Bridgewater collection since 1945 under a loan agreement.
But the decision by their owner, the Duke of Sutherland, to sell them has led to fears that a sale on the open market could see the 16th-century paintings leave the country.
He has offered first refusal to the National Galleries in London and Edinburgh for £100m - less than half their market value - which would allow the duke to take advantage of tax benefits. The galleries have until December 31 to raise £50m for Diana and Actaeon, which will also buy four more years to raise further funds for the second painting.
The letter to the Times yesterday, signed by 60 renowned artists including Lucian Freud, David Hockney, Sir Peter Blake, Antony Gormley and Paula Rego, said: "We applaud the partnership formed by the National Galleries of Scotland and the National Gallery in London in an effort to acquire the two pictures...