HULL : Newly Acquired Masterpiece To Be On Display In 2017

HULL : Newly Acquired Masterpiece To Be On Display In 2017
HULL : Newly Acquired Masterpiece To Be On Display In 2017

Ferens Art Gallery has acquired a rare painting by the much-celebrated Baroque artist Valerio Castello (1624-1659).

Tobias Healing the Blind Tobit (c.1650) is a mature, multi-figure masterpiece on loan to the gallery since 1973, where its poor condition has prevented its display.

It was offered to the gallery with first refusal by its private owners when it came up for sale earlier this year.

The important masterpiece will now enter public ownership for the very first time purchased using the Ferens Endowment Fund, with support from the Arts Council England / Victoria and Albert Museum Purchase Grant Fund and Art Fund. Importantly, the work will undergo extensive conversation treatment next year, made possible with additional Art Fund support, and will be placed be on public display thereafter.

The large-scale work epitomises Castello’s characteristically elegant figures and facial types, combined with his distinctive use of broad, lively brushwork and rich, vibrant colours. This is the first painting by a Genoese-born artist to enter the Ferens’ permanent collection and, in particular, will form a compelling link with Antonio Maria Maragliano’s dynamic polychromed wood sculptures depicting Hercules and Meleager (c.1700) – also from Genoa.

Councillor Terry Geraghty, Portfolio Holder for Culture and and Chair of Hull Culture and Leisure Limited, said:

“The new acquisition is a very significant addition to the Ferens’ already celebrated collection of Old Master paintings.

“We are very grateful to all our partners for their funding support making the acquisition and restoration of this important piece of art possible securing its future for Ferens audiences.”

Kirsten Simister, Curator of Art at Ferens Art Gallery, said:

“Tobias Healing the Blind Tobit is particularly significant as it is shows Castello’s dynamic, mature style on a large scale.

“This painting was brought to my attention within my first week at the gallery in 2003 as a loan of particular interest and importance that we should seek to acquire if ever the opportunity arose.

“It is very satisfying to have secured this long term goal and above all the Art Fund’s generous grant will allow us to fully restore the painting so that it can be seen to best effect by visitors over the decades to come.”

Stephen Deuchar, Art Fund Director, said:

“Our trustees agreed unanimously to support efforts to keep this striking picture at the Ferens Art Gallery.

“It links well with the gallery’s Genoese holdings and also connects with broader themes across the collection. And we were pleased to offer an additional grant towards the painting’s conservation costs.”

Ferens Art Gallery will re-open in January 2017, when Hull is the UK City of Culture, following a £4.5m refurbishment, improving its environment temperature control systems, extending its gallery space and café.



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