Gainsborough for nation
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
ONE of Gainsborough's most important early paintings has been saved for the nation, acquired by the National Gallery, writes Dalya Alberge.
Portrait of the Artist, with his Wife and Child seated in a Landscape has been accepted by the Government at a valuation of pounds 1.75m - satisfying inheritance tax liabilities of pounds 1.11m - following the death of the sixth Marquess of Cholmondeley.
The valuation was recommended by the Museums and Galleries Commission, which adminsters the acceptance-in- lieu arrangements on behalf of the Government. Its acceptance followed protracted negotiations. Peter Longman, director of the commission, said that putting a value on a painting of such rarity had been particularly difficult.
It is the only known family group of the artist, his wife and elder daughter, and was painted in Gainsborough's native Suffolk before his departure in 1760 for Bath.
Christie's negotiated on behalf of the marquess, whose grandmother, the Dowager Marchioness of Cholmondeley, had expressed a wish to bequest a painting to the National Gallery.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments