Half-price deal saves Monarch of the Glen for the nation

ONE of Scotland’s most famous paintings could be saved for the nation after its owners withdrew it from auction after reaching a surprise deal with the National Galleries of Scotland.

The Monarch of the Glen, painted by Sir Edwin Landseer in 1851, was due to be sold at Christie’s next month for an estimated £10 million.

Art enthusiasts had feared the painting, owned by Diageo, the drinks company, could be sold abroad after it was offered to the public for the first time in a century. But the company has agreed to accept £4 million for the work, in a deal with the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS). NGS has four months to raise the money and bring the paint- ing into public hands for the first time.

Sir John Leighton, director-general of NGS, said: “We are delighted with this grand gesture by Diageo which offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for this major work to be acquired for the nation. The ideal home for such an important and resonant picture is the Scottish National Gallery.”

Scotland’s culture minister, Fiona Hyslop, said: “Recent reaction to news of its auction underlined the importance of this painting and I’m pleased the National Galleries and Diageo have agreed a plan to ensure its long association with Scotland can continue.”

The Monarch of the Glen is one of the most famous oil paintings of the 19th century with its depiction of a stag surveying the rugged landscape encapsulating the grandeur of the Highlands.