NHMF awards £10million to help save masterpiece

The NHMF’s contribution is the most significant so far to the campaign, bringing a welcome boost as the December deadline approaches.

The painting - which is currently on special loan to the National Gallery - has been offered to both Galleries on extremely favourable terms by the current owner, the 7th Duke of Sutherland.

Jenny Abramsky, Chair of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, said: “This is exactly what the National Heritage Memorial Fund was set up to do.  We have moved quickly to show our support and hope this persuades others to dig deep to make this dream a reality.  It was an extraordinary and challenging decision for us financially, but it’s as important as ever to protect our enduring cultural heritage – those things of outstanding quality that enrich our national life.

“The NHMF is privileged to be able to take a really long-term view, and if our contribution helps the campaign to succeed, generations to come will be able to enjoy this truly extraordinary work of art.

“As well as recognising the outstanding quality and importance of Diana and Actaeon, NHMF was particularly keen to help the Galleries secure the continued loan of the rest of the Bridgewater Collection – the greatest private collection of old masters on loan to a public gallery in the world. Staggered payments will enable the Fund to spread the costs and remain open to help save other heritage treasures.”

John Leighton, Director-General, National Galleries of Scotland said: “This extremely generous and wholehearted support from the National Heritage Memorial Fund represents a major boost for the campaign to acquire this superlative masterpiece for the national collections. In supporting this acquisition the Fund has also recognised fully the vital importance of keeping the Bridgewater Collection on view in Scotland and available for the inspiration and enjoyment of the present and future generations.”

Nicholas Penny, Director, National Gallery London said: “We are enormously grateful to the National Heritage Memorial Fund for this hugely generous offer.  It represents a crucial endorsement of the value of acquiring the Titian and will inspire others to support the campaign.  It brings us significantly closer to our target.”

The Galleries have until the end of this year to raise the £50million to acquire Diana and Actaeon. If this is successful, they have also been offered assurances which we hope will secure the loan of the rest of the Bridgewater collection for the next 21 years, and the galleries will be offered an option (which may be exercised up until 2012) to buy a second painting, Diana and Callisto for a similar amount.  Both paintings will then go on a rotating display between London and Edinburgh, spending five years at a time in each location.
A grant of £1million was awarded by The Art Fund last month.

Due to popular demand, Diana and Actaeon’s visit to London will now be extended until Sunday 14 December 2008.

Notes to editors

The Bridgewater Collection has been on continuous public view in the National Gallery of Scotland since 1945 and the loan constitutes one of the greatest loans of old master pictures from a private collection to a public museum anywhere in the world. It immeasurably enriches the appeal and status of the National Galleries of Scotland as a centre of cultural excellence. The loan consists of twenty-seven paintings and one drawing by artists such as Raphael, Titian, Poussin and Rembrandt and it attracts visitors from all over the world

Further information

Press Enquiries

National Heritage Memorial Fund

Alison Scott or Katie Owen at the NHMF Press Office
Phone: 020 7591 6032/6036 Mobile: 07973 613820.
Email: katieo@hlf.org.uk / alisons@hlf.org.uk

National Galleries of Scotland

Patricia Convery – Head of Press
Phone: 0131 624 6325
Email: pconvery@nationalgalleries.org

National Gallery London

Razeetha Ram/Tracy Jones – Head of Press
Phone: 0207 7747 2519/ 0207 747 2865
General Press Office number: 0207 747 2865
Email: razeetha.ram@ng-london.org.uk / tracy.jones@ng-london.org.uk (please email both)