Nicolas Poussin’s The Triumph of Pan, a much-loved work from the National Gallery’s Collection, is travelling the UK in 2019, and will visit Bath’s Victoria Art Gallery from April.
Nicolas Poussin The Triumph of Pan, 1636 © The National Gallery, London
The three venues for the National Gallery Masterpiece Tour 2019 are the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath; York Art Gallery; and Auckland Castle, part of The Auckland Project in County Durham.
Over a period of one year the annual National Gallery Masterpiece Tour offers three museums and galleries outside London the opportunity to display a major work from the Gallery’s collection.
The Gallery is committed to sharing the collection throughout the UK, and the Masterpiece Tour, made possible by the generous support of Christie’s, this year enables those in north and south west England to access one of its masterpieces in their own region.
At Bath’s Victoria Art Gallery, Poussin’s masterpiece will be shown alongside works from Bath & North East Somerset Council’s own art collection, which includes works from the fifteenth century to the present day.
Exploring the timeless relevance of the classical in art and design, the display will reflect on Bath’s Roman and Georgian heritage and include works by artists as diverse as Thomas Malton, Jean Claude Nattes and Grayson Perry.
Jon Benington, Victoria Art Gallery Manager, said: “We are delighted to have been selected as the first venue for the 2019 Masterpiece Tour, and look forward to seeing The Triumph of Pan displayed at the Victoria Art Gallery, where local residents and visitors to Bath will be able to see it for free.”
Dr Gabriele Finaldi, of the National Gallery, said: “The Masterpiece Tour gives us the opportunity to share a great painting with people across the country.
“Poussin’s mythological masterpiece will be shown in Bath, York and Bishop Auckland where some fascinating and very varied programmes are planned. We are much looking forward to the Tour.”
Orlando Rock, UK Chairman of Christie’s, of Christie’s UK, added: ‘‘Christie’s strongly believes in the role that art and collecting play in the world today – and in the vital importance of art being accessible to all, so we are delighted to be again supporting the National Gallery’s 2019 Masterpiece Tour.
“Regional museums play a vital role in enriching the cultural life of the country – so it is deeply rewarding to know that Poussin’s arcadian vision from Cardinal Richelieu’s Collection will now be enjoyed by the people of Bath, York and Bishop Auckland.”
