Lost Rubens masterpiece worth tens of millions found in country house display
● Priceless portrait long believed to have been a copy
A lost masterpiece worth tens of millions of pounds has been found on display in a historic country house in Glasgow – after being missing for nearly 400 years.
Art historians discovered the painting by the celebrated Flemish Baroque painter Sir Peter Paul Rubens in Pollok House, in the city’s south side.
The priceless work was long believed by experts to have been merely a copy of a 17th century portrait by the artist of George Villiers, the 1st Duke of Buckingham, a lover of the Scottish king James VI.
However, painstaking conservation work was carried out after it was spotted in Pollok House by the “art detective” Dr Bendor Grosvenor.
This week’s instalment of the BBC series Britain’s Lost Masterpieces will reveal how many of Rubens’ trademark techniques had been concealed by layers of dirt and “overpaint”.
It will also show how detailed technical analysis of the painting was carried out to show it dated back to the 1620s.
Dr Grosvenor said: “The chance to discover a portrait of such a pivotal figure in British history by one of the greatest artists who ever lived has been thrillingly exciting.”
A spokeswoman for Glasgow Museums said they do not yet have a “precise” valuation but that work by Rubens is now worth tens of millions of pounds.
Experts at the Rubenshuis Museum in Antwerp are said to have confirmed the attribution of the painting to Rubens, who is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most successful artists in the 17th century.
Pollok House was donated to the city of Glasgow in 1966 by the Stirling Maxwell family, which had lived for six generations on the site.
Although Pollok House is operated by the National Trust for Scotland, the art collection is in the care of Glasgow Museums.
The Duke of Buckingham’s portrait is thought to have been purchased by Sir William Stirling Maxwell, an avid art collector, who owned Pollok House in the late 19th century. Glasgow Museums has announced that the rediscovered Rubens painting will be going on display at its flagship gallery, Kelvingrove, on Thursday, after the BBC Four programme is aired.
David Mcdonald, chair of Glasgow Life, which runs the museums service, said: “Unsurprisingly, we are beyond delighted to discover the painting is by Rubens, an artist renowned globally as one of the most important painters in history. Glasgow is proud of its extensive art collection, considered by many to be amongst the finest in Europe.
“Glasgow Museums strive to learn more about the artwork in our care and it has been a joy to work with Britain’s Lost Masterpieces to understand much more about this remarkable painting.
“We are excited to give as many people as possible the opportunity to see Rubens’ masterpiece in person. George Villiers, 1st Duke of Bucking- ham, is sure to become one of the undoubted highlights of any visit to Kelvingrove.”
The BBC said Wednesday’s programme would see the Pollok House painting compared to a “rival portrait in Florence”.
Karen Cornfield, property manager of Pollok House, said: “This is such exciting news for Glasgow and shows what a great eye Sir William Stirling Maxwell had.
“We hope the programme will encourage visitors.”
“The chance to discover a portrait of such a figure in British history by one of the greatest artists who ever lived has been thrillingly exciting”
DR BENDOR GROSVENOR