Rimini panel acquired by the National Gallery (eventually)
August 10 2015
Picture: National Gallery
The National Gallery in London has announced an innovative way to acquire the above picture by Giovanni da Rimini, which was painted in 1292-1336. Recently sold by the Duke of Northumberland at Sotheby's for £5.7m, the panel had been at risk of being exported from the UK permanently. But the Gallery has struck a deal with the US collector Ronald S. Lauder which goes like this:
American businessman, philanthropist, and art collector, Ronald S Lauder, has now stepped in to provide the funding to enable the painting to be bought by the National Gallery. The 52.5 x 34.3 cm panel will be loaned to him for his lifetime. It has, however, been agreed that 'Scenes from the Lives of the Virgin and other Saints' will return regularly to Trafalgar Square during this period – this will initially be in 2017 – and then up to once every three years after that. At the end of the loan the painting will return to the National Gallery permanently.
While few could doubt the picture's importance or value, it was always likely that a public appeal for the Rimini would have proved a hard task. So it seems to me that this deal is an excellent way of acquiring the picture in a time of limited funds. Well done to all involved.
More here.
