Step Out From the Crowd - Help Save the Procession to Calvary

Brueghel Old Master saved for nation

6 January 2011

We’re delighted to announce that the campaign to save Pieter Brueghel the Younger’s The Procession to Calvary has reached its £2.7million target thanks to a £1,034,000 grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

The joint Art Fund and National Trust appeal to save the Old Master painting was kick-started at the end of September with a £500,000 grant from the Art Fund. Over £680,000 was raised from members of the public, many of whom are Art Fund and National Trust members. In addition, nearly £510,000 was raised from trusts and foundations. The final £1,034,000 from the NHMF closed the fundraising gap in time to ensure the painting stays at the Nostell Priory in Yorkshire where it has been on display for over 200 years.

Dr Stephen Deuchar, Director of the Art Fund, said: “We have been bowled over by the support and enthusiasm of the public for this quite extraordinary painting, helping us to reach the £2.7 million target. Considering the economic climate, this has been a hugely challenging campaign and we are enormously grateful to all our members and supporters who have given so generously. Working with the National Trust has been a very fruitful experience, pooling our resources to pull out all the stops and save this remarkable painting for Nostell Priory and its visitors. As ever, our huge thanks to the National Heritage Memorial Fund for its major role in bringing this campaign to a truly fantastic close.”

Dame Fiona Reynolds, Director-General of the National Trust, said: “This is wonderful news and a marvellous start to the new year with the knowledge that Nostell Priory’s star attraction will stay where it belongs and continue to be enjoyed by visitors. We want to thank everyone who has supported this campaign to save ‘The Procession to Calvary’, especially the National Heritage Memorial Fund for enabling us to reach our target today. And our special thanks go to the Art Fund for their generous donation that kick-started the campaign and who have worked tirelessly with us throughout the last three months to secure the future of this wonderful painting.”

Dame Jenny Abramsky, Chair of the NHMF, said: “The overwhelming public support to help secure this stunning painting has been an inspiration. Individual giving combined with on-going support from government funds such as the National Heritage Memorial Fund, will play an increasingly important role in securing our most precious heritage.”

The Procession to Calvary is on display at York Art Gallery until 8 January 2011. It will return to Nostell Priory and be on display from the end of February 2011, when the house opens once again to the public.

Back