Bruges (?), Triptych with the Embalming of the Body of Christ
c.1410-1420
Collection Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
Pietro Lorenzetti, Christ Between Saints Peter and Paul
c.1320
© Ferens Art Gallery, Hull Museums
Photo: The National Gallery, London
Old Masters acquisitions for two European Museums Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen has acquired an important pre-Eyckian Triptych, while a 14th-century painting by Pietro Lorenzetti has been bought for Ferens Art Gallery with help from the Art Fund.]]>
July 21st 2013, source: Museum Boijmans / Art Fund
Most expensive old-master acquisition in Boijmans Museum’s recent history
A masterpiece of panel painting from the period before Jan van Eyck, a triptych showing the Embalming of the Body of Christ, has been added to the collection of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. The painting has been acquired thanks to a ‘leading gift’ from the Rembrandt Association and the Mondriaan Fund. Generous contributions have also come from the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds (Breeman Talle Fonds), VSBfonds, SNS REAAL Fonds, the BankGiro Lottery and the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen Foundation. Boijmans curator Friso Lammertse declared that ‘it is exceptional that a totally unknown painting from this period should come to light, and even more extraordinary that it should be available for acquisition by the museum. The right-hand panel with Saint John the Baptist is among the most beautiful surviving Netherlandish paintings from around 1400.’
Following the successful exhibition ‘The Road to Van Eyck’, which the museum organised last year and where the triptych was shown for the first time, the Rembrandt Association decided to contribute €600,000 to establish an acquisition fund for the triptych.
Important work by Pietro Lorenzetti bought for Ferens Art Gallery
“Christ Between Saint Paul and Saint Peter”, painted by Pietro Lorenzetti around 1320, has been acquired for Ferens Art Gallery with help from the Art Fund. The work will be the oldest painting in the gallery’s collection
The work was offered at Christie’s London one year ago, selling for an impressive £5,081,250 against a pre-sale estimate of just £1,000,000 – £1,500,000. The culture secretary placed a temporary export bar on the work. According to the Art Fund, the total amount paid was £1,612,940.
Related content
Rijksmuseum acquires masterwork by Mostaert (news, July 2013)
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