The Victoria Art Gallery in Bath is to host one of the world’s most famous masterpieces – Canaletto’s ‘A Regatta on the Grand Canal’ from March to May 2015.
The much-loved work is on tour from the National Gallery Collection in London and is travelling around the UK as the second painting in the three-year Masterpiece Tour.
The Victoria Art Gallery in Bath will be the first host venue for the masterpiece from 7th March to 3rd May 2015 before it journeys on to Compton Verney in Warwickshire and Sunderland Museums and Winter Gardens.
Ben Stevens (Lib-Dem, Widcombe), the Council’s Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath has been selected to host Canaletto’s A Regatta on the Grand Canal as part of the Masterpiece Tour programme.
“18th century Bath was a popular tourist destination, with its hot spring water and fashionable architecture. Just like in Canaletto’s Venice, wealthy visitors were enthusiastic purchasers of paintings and prints of the city as reminders of their travels.
“The Victoria Art Gallery will be displaying a selection of Bath views alongside Regatta on the Grand Canal, looking at Canaletto’s influence on British art and the 18th century enthusiasm for view painting.”
The Masterpiece Tour is part of the National Gallery’s commitment to promote the understanding, knowledge and appreciation of Old Master paintings to as wide an audience as possible.
This opportunity to bring hugely popular National Gallery paintings to the public’s doorstep is being made possible by the generous support of Christie’s.
The Victoria Art Gallery is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and on Sunday from 1.30pm to 5pm. It is closed on Mondays and Bank Holidays.
