The first exhibition of objects and works of art acquired for the nation through the Acceptance in Lieu and Cultural Gifts schemes will open at the National Gallery next spring (22 May – 5 September 2027) before a nationwide tour. The schemes are delivered by Arts Council England on behalf of the UK Government and for the benefit of the four home nations.
Collected showcases a range of important artistic and cultural objects – centuries of art, saved and shared –transferred from private collections to public collections through both schemes, demonstrating their impact across the country.
Over many decades, these schemes have ensured thousands of objects have been allocated, free of charge, to public museums, galleries, libraries and archives across the UK. Visitors will explore the journeys that brought these diverse, inspiring and significant works from private hands into public care and the collaborative partnerships that help preserve our shared cultural heritage.
The exhibition will tour to Scotland (National Galleries of Scotland), Northern Ireland (Ulster Museum) and Wales (Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales).
The exhibition at the National Gallery in London will show around forty works: a collection of rare, curious and extraordinary art and objects, displaying the breadth and range of just a portion of objects acquired through the schemes over the years. Many of these works have been kindly loaned by museums and institutions across the UK, large and small.
These include a selection of modern and contemporary works such as Pablo Picasso’s The Weeping Woman (1937, Tate), Lucian Freud’s Portrait of Hermione Scott (1960, Lakeland Arts) and René Magritte’s La condition humaine (1935, Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery). Ceramics by Picasso such as his decorative plate, Bird on a Nest (1949, Leicester Museum and Art Gallery) and Flower Women/Standing Nudes (1948, Leicester Museum and Art Gallery) will also be on show. The most recently made work on display will be Peter Doig’s At the Edge of Town (1986–1988, National Galleries of Scotland).
Collected at the National Gallery will also present works as diverse as a Chinese porcelain jardiniere (about 1730, porcelain, Strawberry Hill House and Garden) famously associated with British politician Horace Walpole (1717–1797) whose beloved cat, Selima, drowned in it; and the precious Hamilton-Rothschild Tazza, (9th–19th century, National Museums Scotland), a large Byzantine cup made of sardonyx, gold and enamel that belonged to Alexander, 10th Duke of Hamilton (1767–1852), one of Scotland’s greatest collectors, who eventually used it for the baptisms of both his children.
A core group of eight paintings including Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot’s Italian Woman (about 1870), Paul Cezanne’s Avenue at Chantilly (1888), John Singer Sargent’s Wineglasses (probably 1875), from the National Gallery Collection as well as Max Ernst’s Max Ernst montrant à une jeune fille la tête de son père (1926/7, National Galleries of Scotland), and Jacob van Ruisdael’s The Cornfield (17thcentury, National Museums NI) will be shown in the four venues.
The National Galleries of Scotland will also borrow additional works acquired through the schemes to complement the core group whilst the Ulster Museum in Belfast and Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales will only show the core group and works from their own collections.
Daniel Sobrino Ralston, the National Gallery’s CEEH (Centro de Estudios Europa Hispánica) Associate Curator of Spanish Paintings and curator of Collected exhibition says ‘This pioneering exhibition, sweeping from medieval to modern, celebrates the stupendous cultural riches that have entered the UK’s museums, galleries, archives and libraries through these public schemes. These government initiatives endeavour to preserve and build up a diverse national collection that is accessible to all.’
National Gallery Director, Sir Gabriele Finaldi, says ‘It is impossible to overestimate the importance of the Acceptance in Lieu and Cultural Gift Scheme in bringing astounding works of art into public ownership in museums across the UK. The National Gallery is delighted to celebrate this cultural cornucopia with our partners across the four nations.’
Arts Minister, Ruth Mackenzie says ‘My congratulations to the National Gallery London, Arts Council England, Ulster Museum, National Galleries of Scotland, Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, on your work together to present the first-ever exhibitions of works contributed through the Acceptance in Lieu and Cultural Gift Schemes.’
Michael Clarke CBE, Chair, Acceptance in Lieu Panel, says ‘We are so grateful to the many offerors and donors who have used these Schemes. It is vital for our museums, galleries and libraries that they can continue to improve and expand their collections. In these challenging times these schemes make a magnificent contribution to this great cause of placing an enormous range of cultural objects and works of art in public ownership, accessible to all. This exhibition offers a flavour of what has already been achieved and is designed to promote greater awareness and use of these wonderful schemes.’
Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, says ‘This exhibition underlines the importance of Acceptance in Lieu and the Cultural Gifts Scheme in enriching all our lives. It shows the range of magnificent pieces of art and culture that will be enjoyed in galleries, museums, libraries and archives across the country for generations to come as a direct result of acquisitions by the two schemes. It’s fitting that our National Gallery is bringing these wonderful examples together for the first time and giving them the prominence that they deserve.’
Exhibition organised by the National Gallery, London, Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, National Galleries of Scotland and National Museums NI.
More information at nationalgallery.org.uk
