Campaign to acquire Yorkshire artist’s late painting
YORK ART Gallery is rallying support to take permanent ownership of a painting by Albert Moore, one of the city’s famous artists.
A Revery, which is considered to be his most significant work, is privately owned but can currently be seen at the Exhibition Square venue’s Albert Moore: Of Beauty and Aesthetics display – the first major showcase of his work in 100 years.
Curators hope to secure the £3.6m needed to acquire the piece from London’s Agnews Gallery so that it stays in York for generations of visitors to enjoy.
Laura Turner, senior curator of art, said: “Albert Moore was an incredible artist and A Revery is one of his most significant later works. The subject is a young woman pictured alert but lost in thought, her classical attire typical of many of the artist’s work.
“But the levels of complexity and the technical skill displayed show Moore at his most confident and at the peak of his ability. “This is a rare opportunity for a public collection to acquire such a significant painting by Moore and it would mean York Art Gallery would become the permanent home to one of his most outstanding works.
“It would also allow us to secure a significant part of York’s artistic heritage to be enjoyed by visitors for years to come.” The gallery’s fundraising team hope to get the cash from organisations such as the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Art Fund, but public donations are also being welcomed.