Rubens's sketch saved for Tate

October 2008Tate launched a fundraising campaign in March 2008 working in close partnership with The Art Fund to raise public funds for this magnificent work.

The Art Fund created a special website, www.artfund.org/savetherubens, for members of the public to donate money and to publicise the campaign.

The Apotheosis of James I and other studies: sketch for the ceiling of the Banqueting House, Whitehall, is Rubens’ preliminary sketch for seven of the nine eventual component panels of the ceiling.  It is in excellent condition and no other sketch for the overall composition of the ceiling survives, making this an exceptionally important treasure within British art. It has been owned by a private collection in England for over two hundred years, and Tate now has a unique opportunity to acquire this beautiful painting for the nation.

Tate announced on 8 October that the first preparatory sketch made by Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) for his magnificent scheme of ceiling paintings in the Banqueting House, Whitehall, has been saved, thanks to the last-minute intervention of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Tate Members and The Art Fund, all of whom increased their original pledges on the day of the final deadline, 30 September 2008.

More information about the Tate's successful acquisition