Monarch saved for the nation
Drinks giant offers gallery iconic work... at half price
FOR many people, the image of a stag surveying the rugged landscape symbolises the essence of Scotland.
So there were fears that Sir Edwin Landseer’s The Monarch of the Glen could leave its homeland for ever when it went up for auction.
However, the painting may now be saved for the nation after a deal was struck with the current owners.
The National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) has entered into a partnership agreement with drinks giant Diageo, aimed at securing the 19th-century artwork for permanent public display in Scotland.
The oil painting was expected to fetch more than £8million at Christie’s amid fears it would be snapped up by a private overseas buyer.
Now Diageo has agreed to give half the value – £4million – to NGS. It means gallery chiefs have four months to raise another £4million to bring the painting under public ownership for the first time.
Sir John Leighton, directorgeneral of NGS, said: ‘We are delighted with this gesture by Diageo which offers a once-in-alifetime opportunity for this work to be acquired for the nation.
‘The ideal home for such an important and resonant picture is the Scottish National Gallery, where it can be enjoyed and admired by millions of visitors.’
The painting, which was due to be sold on December 8 in London, has been withdrawn from auction by Christie’s and NGS has opened a fundraising page on its website for public donations.
David Cutter, Diageo’s senior director in Scotland, said: ‘We are delighted to create the opportunity for The Monarch of the Glen to remain on public display in Scotland on a permanent basis.’
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: ‘I’m pleased the National Galleries and Diageo have agreed a plan to ensure its long association with Scotland can continue.’
Landseer painted The Monarch of the Glen, an oil on canvas, in 1851 and it remains one of the most famous paintings of the Victorian era. It has been on display in Edinburgh for 17 years while on loan to the National Museum of Scotland.
Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: ‘The Monarch of the Glen is a unique piece of Scotland’s rich cultural heritage and this is very welcome news in the National Galleries’ ongoing effort to keep this iconic painting on public display in Scotland for the future.
‘The UK is home to some of the world’s great art works and it is important that they remain in our fantastic museums and galleries.’