National Gallery cuts links with Russia

THE National Gallery has severed its ties with Russia, abandoning a deal with the nation’s leading museum in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

The London institution was set to receive a loan of Raphael’s painting The Holy Family from the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg for a forthcoming exhibition dedicated to the Renaissance master. But it has now abandoned the arrangement, ending its only current dealings with Russia and effectively severing ties with museums in the increasingly boycotted nation.

The gallery confirmed that the decision was taken “as a result of the situation that has arisen due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine”, and added that the 16th-century canvas had not been transported from Saint Petersburg before the deal was cancelled. The State Hermitage Museum has demanded that works it has lent to galleries across Europe be returned immediately.

Titian’s Portrait of a Young Woman With Feather Hat, which is on loan to the Palazzo Reale in Milan, is being packed up ready to be returned to St Petersburg, along with 23 works loaned to Milan’s Gallerie d’italia.

Picasso’s painting Young Woman has also been recalled, and will be shipped back to Russia from Rome’s Alda Fendi Foundation following demands for its return from Mikhail Piotrovsky, director of the Hermitage.

In a letter to the institutions, he wrote: “Our transport agent will take care of all the necessary arrangements. I understand perfectly that this decision will cause you great displeasure and inconvenience and I hope for your understanding.” Mr Piotrovsky has been director of the Hermitage for 30 years, during which time it has been used as a stage for diplomatic events hosted by Vladmir Putin, including receptions for Tony Blair and Xi Jinping.

The museum was founded in 1764 by Empress Catherine the Great, and holds three million exhibits in the largest gallery space in the world.